Riccis raise $2,700 walking for Helen

Ken Johnston

There is nothing like a family coming together to support a cause, especially one that is so close to home.
Two Saturday’s ago the Ricci family of Rainy River got together in Winnipeg to participate in the annual Walk for ALS. Thirteen members of the family walked in honour of Helen Ricci who died from ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) three years ago. The illness attacks a person’s nervous system but does not affect one’s mind.
As was the case with Helen, it is often hard to watch a person’s body slowly degenerate while the mind is still active.
Last year her daughter, Karen Ricci Craig participated in the Walk for ALS and this year she was joined by 12 other family members. They collected pledges from people as far away as Toronto and raised $2,700. They also had the opportunity to sign a memory board with thoughts about Helen. “It was very emotional for us all,” said her son Don Ricci.
The family all donned orange t-shirts with Helen’s name on them and walked the 6 km course at their own pace. “ALS has really brought us all together as a family. We banded together to help her and dad (Len Ricci) when she was sick. Now we band together to help others,” said Don.
90% of all the money the walk raised will go directly to Client Services, Research, Equipment and the Brummitt-Feasby ALS House of Care and Support in Winnipeg.
Don noted that unlike Cancer, ALS does not get as broad media attention. He and the rest of the family are hopeful that their efforts will help change that. “ALS needs funding for research,” he added.