"Team Katie" - Beat ALS
Donation protected
In December 2016, we lost a Beautiful Soul. After a courageous 3 year battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or “ALS”, Katie Borserio passed away, peacefully, at home surrounded by her family.
For those unfamiliar with ALS, it is a degenerative motor neuron disease that gradually paralyzes a person as the brain is no longer able to communicate with the muscles of the body. As these muscles break down, a person loses the ability to walk, talk, eat, swallow, and eventually breathe. Despite loss of all motor function, a person’s mental capabilities remain intact the entire time.
A vibrantly independent woman, the gradual but steady loss of motor function of first her legs, then hands, then arms, voice, and eventually swallowing impacted Katie tremendously. This was an incredibly challenging time for her and her family. However, through the generous donation of medical equipment from the ALS Society of BC, GF Strong, Northern Health Authority, and the community of Queen Charlotte, Katie was able to remain in her own home until the very end. Without access to such equipment, Katie would most assuredly have had to be moved to a health care facility for her final days, something that she fiercely resisted.
On May 12, 2017, Katie’s husband Kevin, sons Luke and Kye, and friend Don Cohen will embark on a Kayak Expedition beginning in Prince Rupert BC and ending in Victoria BC. Estimated trip time will be 5 weeks, approx. 1,200km in length, and will take them through 8 Coastal First Nations Territories. The focus of this trip is to raise funds for the ALS Society of BC, specifically the equipment loans program, and to aid in the purchase of various medical equipment required for people living at home with ALS. A “Team Katie” flag will be flown for the duration of the trip, kindly donated by her dear “Art Ladies” friends.
100% of funds raised from this trip will go directly to the ALS Society of BC. Your generous donation will help people living with ALS, and their families, to access quality services and specialized equipment at home so those suffering from this terrible disease can maintain as much independence, and dignity, as possible. We know our mother was glad able to remain at home during her illness and to eventually pass there. We are continuing her legacy of adventure and generosity through this fundraiser by raising money for other people afflicted with ALS. By contributing towards the purchase and development of specialized equipment and support systems for those living at home with ALS, we are advocating for people’s rights to personalized end-of-life care, especially for those wishing to remain at home in their final days.
For those who are interested in keeping up to date on our Kayak Expedition and day-to-day progress as we paddle South, please email [email redacted] to be added to our GPS Spot email list. You can also follow us on our Kitgoro Kayaking Facebook page.
There is already so much support our family has received and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all you have done. We Love you All.
Haawa, Haawa, Haawa.
Kevin, Thea, Luke, Kye, Meta
For those unfamiliar with ALS, it is a degenerative motor neuron disease that gradually paralyzes a person as the brain is no longer able to communicate with the muscles of the body. As these muscles break down, a person loses the ability to walk, talk, eat, swallow, and eventually breathe. Despite loss of all motor function, a person’s mental capabilities remain intact the entire time.
A vibrantly independent woman, the gradual but steady loss of motor function of first her legs, then hands, then arms, voice, and eventually swallowing impacted Katie tremendously. This was an incredibly challenging time for her and her family. However, through the generous donation of medical equipment from the ALS Society of BC, GF Strong, Northern Health Authority, and the community of Queen Charlotte, Katie was able to remain in her own home until the very end. Without access to such equipment, Katie would most assuredly have had to be moved to a health care facility for her final days, something that she fiercely resisted.
On May 12, 2017, Katie’s husband Kevin, sons Luke and Kye, and friend Don Cohen will embark on a Kayak Expedition beginning in Prince Rupert BC and ending in Victoria BC. Estimated trip time will be 5 weeks, approx. 1,200km in length, and will take them through 8 Coastal First Nations Territories. The focus of this trip is to raise funds for the ALS Society of BC, specifically the equipment loans program, and to aid in the purchase of various medical equipment required for people living at home with ALS. A “Team Katie” flag will be flown for the duration of the trip, kindly donated by her dear “Art Ladies” friends.
100% of funds raised from this trip will go directly to the ALS Society of BC. Your generous donation will help people living with ALS, and their families, to access quality services and specialized equipment at home so those suffering from this terrible disease can maintain as much independence, and dignity, as possible. We know our mother was glad able to remain at home during her illness and to eventually pass there. We are continuing her legacy of adventure and generosity through this fundraiser by raising money for other people afflicted with ALS. By contributing towards the purchase and development of specialized equipment and support systems for those living at home with ALS, we are advocating for people’s rights to personalized end-of-life care, especially for those wishing to remain at home in their final days.
For those who are interested in keeping up to date on our Kayak Expedition and day-to-day progress as we paddle South, please email [email redacted] to be added to our GPS Spot email list. You can also follow us on our Kitgoro Kayaking Facebook page.
There is already so much support our family has received and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all you have done. We Love you All.
Haawa, Haawa, Haawa.
Kevin, Thea, Luke, Kye, Meta
Organizer and beneficiary
luke borserio
Organizer
Queen Charlotte, BC
Kevin Borserio
Beneficiary
