It's time to bring your 'Burger Family' to
A&W restaurants for a Teen Burger and support MS
research
VANCOUVER, BC, July 22,
2024 /CNW/ - On August
22, Canadians are invited to take a bite out of MS –
literally – as the 16th annual A&W Burgers to Beat
MS Day returns to support Canadians living with multiple sclerosis
(MS). For every Teen Burger sold on Burgers to Beat MS Day in
Canada, A&W will donate
$2 to MS Canada. Since its inception, A&W's Burgers
to Beat MS Day has raised more than $20
million to support Canadians living with and affected by MS.
Funds raised help MS Canada
continue offering programs that improve the quality of life of, and
funding research aimed at answering the most challenging questions
about this unpredictable disease.
Burgers to Beat MS Day is on August
22nd, but making a change starts now! Starting
today, you can round up any purchase at an A&W restaurant,
donate online at BurgersToBeatMS.ca or through the A&W
app, or by adding a donation option to your cart when ordering
A&W on delivery apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and
SkipTheDishes.
The Magnitude of MS
MS is a neurological disease, affecting the central nervous
system including the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves.
Canada has one of the highest
rates of MS in the world, with a staggering 1 in every 400 people
living with it. Currently, over 90,000 Canadians live with MS and
on average 12 Canadians are diagnosed with MS every day. That means
every two hours, someone in Canada
is diagnosed with MS.
In communities across Canada,
MS touches not only the lives of the people living with it, but
also their caregivers, healthcare professionals, researchers, and
families. Everyone has the power to make a difference, and by
working together, Canadians can make a positive contribution to the
support, resources, therapies, and medications that help people
living with MS.
Changing Lives with Every Burger
On the road to a world free of MS, proceeds from Burgers to Beat
MS Day have touched the lives of countless individuals living with
MS to make positive impacts in their quality of life.
"I was only 11 years old when I first experienced MS symptoms,
but I was not officially diagnosed with MS until much later. I knew
a support network would be key in my MS journey and I found that
and much more with MS Canada,"
says Lizelle Mendoza, MS
Canada Ambassador. "I've been
involved in Burgers to Beat MS since 2012 because I have first-hand
experience on how the funds raised make a positive impact on
someone living with MS."
MS Canada and A&W share the
goal of a world free of MS. Throughout the program's history,
Canadians have continued to rally together to donate
year-after-year to support the MS community in vital ways. Every
dollar counts with Burgers to Beat MS. Funds raised through the
campaign help connect people affected by MS to information and
support programs where they share experiences and ensure no one
feels alone on their MS journey. These funds also support advocacy
initiatives that improve the quality of life of the MS community.
Lastly, Burgers to Beat MS donations fund essential MS research
looking to advance treatment and care; enhance well-being;
understand and halt disease progression; and prevent MS; this
includes grants, clinical trials and supporting the next generation
of MS researchers.
"For 16 years, Burgers to Beat MS Day has pushed for a brighter
future for people affected by MS. This program has a profound
impact on the MS community, and I want to invite Canadians across
the country to join us on August 22
and make a difference," says Dr. Pamela
Valentine, President and CEO of MS Canada. "The incredible $20M raised since the inception of the program
has directly impacted the provision of community-based programming
across the country, galvanized advocacy on important issues like
access to treatment and care, and enabled research that has led to
better health outcomes for those living with this unpredictable
disease."
Bring Your Burger Family
Calling all moms, dads, teens, grandparents, best friends, and
anyone you consider your family – whether it's traditional or
chosen, this year A&W wants you to bring all the members of
your 'Burger Family' out to enjoy a Teen Burger on August 22 for Burgers to Beat MS Day; a meal
decision that EVERY family member can finally agree on!
"Over the past 16 years, the creativity, passion, and dedication
of our amazing operators, along with their managers and staff, have
raised critical funds and awareness to make a difference in the MS
community," says Susan Senecal,
President and CEO of A&W Canada. "I invite all Canadians to
join in on the fight against MS by visiting your local A&W on
Burgers to Beat MS Day and enjoying a Teen Burger in support of MS
Canada on August 22."
About A&W Canada
A&W is proud to be 100% Canadian owned and operated, and
Canada's original burger chain. We
believe in helping our guests take small, simple actions for the
good of people and the planet. From serving 100% grass-fed beef, to
offering reusable packaging, and fundraising in support of
Canadians living with multiple sclerosis, we strive to make a
positive impact in all the communities we operate in across
Canada. Home of Canada's Best Tasting Burgers, we serve
Canadians coast to coast with over 1,000 restaurants across the
country. For more information, please visit aw.ca.
About MS Canada
At MS Canada, we are inspired
by the vision of a world free of multiple sclerosis. We focus on
support, advocacy and research that will positively impact the
lives of people living with, and affected by MS. For over 75 years,
we have been a trusted connection for the MS community to valuable
resources and programs needed on their unique MS journey. We
advocate for improved policies and systems that will better support
Canadians living with MS. We invest in life-changing research that
will advance treatment and care, enhance well-being, help to
understand and halt disease progression, and ultimately prevent
MS.
For more information visit mscanada.ca
About multiple sclerosis (MS)
Canada has one of the highest
rates of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the world. On average, 12
Canadians are diagnosed every day. MS is a neurological disease of
the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord). Most people are
diagnosed with MS between the ages of 20 and 49. It is considered
an episodic disability meaning that the severity and duration of
episodes of illness and disability can vary, often followed by
periods of wellness. It can also be progressive.
Join the conversation and connect with the MS community
online. Find MS Canada
on X, Instagram or like our page
on Facebook.
Susan Senecal and/or Pamela Valentine or an MS Canada Ambassador are available for interviews
between July 22 and August
22.
SOURCE A&W Food Services of Canada Inc.