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Celebrate Mario at our BOTTLE DRIVE on Saturday July 17, 2021!
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It is with the heaviest of hearts that we celebrate this incredible individual, Mario Vella, who passed away on April 6, 2021. Your contributions will go directly to Mario's outstanding expenses with proceeds going to ALS research.
Thanks to people like you, our first Bottle Drive event raised $5530 in empties and over $15,000 including donations! What to Bring? Save your returnable beer bottles, cans, wine and liquor bottles to donate. Where? Forest City Community Church - 3725 Bostwick Rd. London When? Saturday, June 17th from 10am to 3pm Donate? Donations accepted (debit/credit/cheque) and please send e-transfers to bottledrive4mario@gmail.com |
Let's do it again!
Please share this important day with people you feel would like to make a difference.
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ABOUT MARIO
Mario Vella was diagnosed with ALS over 20 years ago and was one of Canada’s longest survivors, far surpassing the average life expectancy of 2-3 years. Mario’s determination has been an inspiration to thousands of people who he has touched with his message:
"Enjoy every day, be a good person and fight for things others say is not possible." Mario was a huge hockey fan, loved the Dallas Cowboys and was a visible member of the community sharing his story of hope with youth and adult organizations throughout Ontario. Everyday Mario overcame adversity with humility, a positive attitude and an outstanding sense of humor. Thank you to those that supported Mario's Victory Against ALS. |
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About Mario Vella's Victory against ALS
RESEARCH UPDATE
The research undertaken at the Robarts Research Institute and London Health Sciences Centre on ALS by Doctors Michael Strong and Christen Shoesmith, along with their teams continues to at the forefront of understanding the origins of this devastating disease. In the Strong lab at Robarts, a team of researches continues to focus on understanding how normal cellular proteins become abnormal and in doing so, form aggregates within motor neurons. Many of these proteins are critical to controlling the metabolism of RNA (the key intermediary in determining how DNA becomes a protein). |
HOW YOUR SUPPORT HELPS
In part through research supported by Mario's charity events, the Strong lab has helped to identify alterations in RNA metabolism as a critical pathway leading to the motor neuron degeneration of ALS. They have also unlocked the basis of the cognitive impairment that can occur in Lou Gehrig's and have further advanced our understanding of how this can be treated. Clinically, research led by Dr. Shoesmith has begun to clarify patterns of disease progress in order to develop badly needed markers for determining when therapeutic interventions are successful. |
UPCOMING EVENTS
Join us at our final Bottle Drive event coming Saturday, May 29th, 2021! 100% of proceeds go to outstanding expenses for Mario's care. THANK YOU! Your help doesn’t go unnoticed! |