Riding across Canada for ALS

Spelliscy, one of 12 children in his family, began volunteering for ALS societies 23 years ago, after his sister, Anne, was diagnosed with ALS (a.k.a. Lou Gehrig’s disease). Many of Spelliscy’s family members also volunteer for initiatives related to fighting ALS.

Not long after Anne’s diagnosis, Spelliscy, now 44, started working with the ALS Society of British Columbia, an autonomous chapter of the ALS Society of Canada, which is dedicated to supporting research and the needs of patients.

Spelliscy’s first fundraising stint was selling cornflowers for 25¢ each with his mother outside malls in Victoria. “I think about eight hours of work might have yielded about four bucks,” he recalls. “It wasn’t the most efficient, but it was something to do.”

Getting involved wasn’t a stretch for Spelliscy and his siblings because their father always had set an example by giving back to the community. Says Spelliscy: “My father was a very avid volunteer with various civic and municipal organizations over the years. So, he really left that legacy to us.”

Since Spelliscy joined the ALS Society of B.C., his role has grown dramatically. He has acted as a fundraiser, spokesman and, for a short time, board member of the organization over the past two decades.

One of Spelliscy’s longtime fundraising initiatives with the ALS Society is Kelowna’s annual Walk for ALS, a five-kilometre walk. Similar walks are held by ALS societies across Canada. Kelowna has hosted walks for the past eight years, raising about $250,000 for the cause. Spelliscy was a founding organizer of the local walks and has worked as the chief organizer for three. Many of Spelliscy’s siblings are also active participants in ALS walks in Edmonton and Calgary.

Last June, Spelliscy decided to combine his enthusiasm for fundraising with his passion for motorcycling. It all began with a conversation with a friend early in 2012 about doing a long ride together for fun. However, Spelliscy says, the whole exercise seemed a little meaningless without some kind of real goal.

So, along with three colleagues, Spelliscy decided to do a so-called “Iron Ride,” a 5,900-kilometre ride from Halifax to the ALS society offices in Richmond, B.C., in 90 hours or less. The time limit met the standards of the international long-distance motorcycle association, the U.S.-based Iron Butt Association.

The distance and time limit were meant to represent the challenges people with ALS face, says Spelliscy, as well as the current excitement regarding recent research.

“ALS is a very devastating disease,” he says. “It takes away a tremendous amount from people very quickly, without asking. And I think people regard this ride as a very positive, very affirmative push back against [ALS].”

For example, the distance highlights how the disease affects people in communities all across Canada. As well, because of ALS research going on across the country, says Spelliscy, specialists now have the confidence to say that there could be a treatment or even a cure for the disease within three to five years, which has created a real sense of optimism.

While on the road, Spelliscy and his travelling companions met many challenges. In the east, there were long days spent in the saddle; at one point, Spelliscy clocked 22.5 hours on the road. Out west, there were dangerous conditions.

“We got onto the Prairies and we thought we were home free,” Spelliscy says. “[But] the weather had other ideas.”

In Alberta, there were gale-force winds that caused Spelliscy and his team to ride their motorcycles “like they were windsurfers,” as well as tornado warnings and mountain passes that were blocked by mudslides and snow.

After driving 400 km off the planned route in order to find an open pass through the mountains, and then being almost pushed off the roads by strong, icy winds, Spelliscy and his team stopped at a motel. They were sure they wouldn’t make it to their destination within the time limit. Says Spelliscy: “It was a pretty lousy night.”

However, with some good weather the next morning, the team decided to make one final push. They arrived at the ALS Society offices 89 hours and 10 minutes after leaving Halifax – despite having driven the final four hours through torrential rain.

The challenges of the ride were well worth it for Spelliscy and his team, as they surpassed their fundraising goals by raising $36,760 for the ALS Centre at the G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre in Vancouver.

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