Steady Freddie's Warriors

06/15/2025

We can't wait to see you on June 22! Getting ready to lace up to support our Freddie 🩵 and all of those in our community living with ALS. The Walk to End ALS is ONE WEEK FROM TODAY. Thank you to all who have donated so far. Thank you for the difference you are making! https://alscanadawalktoendals.als.ca/ontario2025/steady-freddies-warriors

05/09/2025

Way to go, Warriors! A heartfelt thank you to all for the overwhelming response this week. We are close to $7,000.00!

Tomorrow, May 9th, is the last day that your donations to the Walk to End ALS will be doubled, dollar for dollar up to $5,000.00!

Calling all Warriors! We need your support... Freddie and Dirinda, and their family are looking forward to seeing you all at this year's walk! We hope you will consider donating and joining us on June 22nd.

04/21/2025

You or someone you know need a SFW t-shirt? We will be having more printed this year. Send us a PM and we will set you up!

04/18/2025

Good morning, Warriors!

Looking forward to seeing you and yours at this year's Walk to End ALS, Sault Ste. Marie on Sunday, June 22nd!

You can greatly help by donating and sharing this link:

Calling all Warriors! We need your support... Freddie and Dirinda, and their family are looking forward to seeing you all at this year's walk! We hope you will consider donating and joining us on June 22nd.

06/24/2024

What a great day! We didn't catch everyone for the team photo at the end, but truly appreciate each and every one of you who walked with us 🩵 Fundraising update: As of tonight, SFWs have raised $14, 437.56 for ALS Canada.

The best part was connecting with old friends and meeting new ones who were walking for a loved one living with ALS, or in memory of someone. The spirit and support in our community is incredible.

Thank you 🩵

06/23/2024

GOOD MORNING, WARRIORS ☔️ Looking forward to seeing you all this morning! Check-in is at 10:00 am. Walk is scheduled to start at 10:30 a.m.

We have far exceeded our fundraising goal! $12, 296.81 raised for ALS Canada. Thank you to all for your generosity!

Forecast is showing a possible break from the rain between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm. Woke up this morning thinking of a favourite quote by Vivian Greene (who wasn't really talking about rain, but it sure fits this morning). "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain". Rain or shine, we'll be lacing up and ready to go!

Our outstanding Sault Ste. Marie, as always, will bring our own sunshine ☀️ of love and support for Freddie and all in our community with ALS.

🩵

06/20/2024

If you haven't donated yet, this is your chance to double your impact!

This Friday is Global ALS Awareness Day! An event that knows no borders or boundaries as we collectively work toward a world free of ALS.

Thanks to a very generous donor, we have the perfect opportunity to make a meaningful impact as we strive to meet our fundraising goal for the ALS Canada Walk to End ALS.

For the next 48 hours only, Canadian Western Bank (CWB) will generously match all donations to the ALS Canada Walk to End ALS. What better way to recognize ALS Awareness Day and express our hope that there will one day be a cure for this devastating disease?

Thankful to the community for all of your support!

06/19/2024

IMPORTANT MESSAGE from ALS Canada about the Walk:

As you may be aware, there is a heat warning in effect throughout the province. We wanted to inform you that all scheduled ALS Canada Walk to End ALS events will proceed as planned.

However, your health and safety are our top priority. Here are the precautions that our team will be taking this weekend:

Participants are asked to stay home if you feel that this weekend's event might pose a risk to your health. We offer the Virtual Walk to End ALS where you can walk wherever and whenever you would like!

Participants are not obligated to complete the full 5KM walk route. Please walk as much or as little as you're able to and if you'd rather attend the event and not walk at all, we'll have drinks, snacks, and shade at registration.

Walk routes may also be adjusted or shortened at the discretion of the individual overseeing each event and will be communicated to participants during opening ceremonies.

If you will be attending, please consider the following recommendations:

Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water before, during, and after the walk. We will have water bottles for participants at each walk location.

Dress Appropriately: Wear lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothing. A wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses can also help protect you from the sun.

Use Sunscreen: Apply a high-SPF sunscreen to all exposed skin to prevent sunburn.

Take Breaks: Listen to your body and take breaks in the shade if you start to feel overheated or fatigued.

Buddy System: Walk with a partner or stay in groups to ensure everyone is accounted for and can assist if anyone feels unwell.

If you have any questions or need further information, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].

Looking forward to seeing everyone on Sunday!

06/19/2024

Goal exceeded today! $10,115.00 for ALS Canada. A very heartfelt thank you for your generosity with donations and spreading the word in our community and beyond.

Who's lacing up with us (in person or in spirit) on Sunday?

06/17/2024

Freddie's Story for the ALS Society of Canada Walk to End ALS (June 2024)

It was hard enough to be told I have ALS. But for me, it was even harder to tell others.

My wife Dirinda and I decided to break the news one person at a time, starting with our two children and then moving on to the rest of our family and friends. Each time we told someone new, it felt like we were hearing it for the first time ourselves. It broke my heart to see deep sorrow in the eyes of people I love – over and over.

But I didn’t let myself dwell in despair. I refused to ask, “why me?” Instead, I’m moving forward with positivity and faith as my guides.

My name is Freddie Pozzebon, and I was diagnosed with ALS in April 2023, at 62. I’m still working full-time as the Chief Building Official of the city of Sault Ste. Marie, but ALS has become like a second, full-time job.

My daily routine now includes medications and exercises. Also, every three months I drive more than seven hours (and occasionally fly) to McMaster University in Hamilton for check-ups that can stretch up to four hours. The care there is awesome, but the whole process takes a lot out of me.

I recognize, though, that my journey with ALS is just starting, and the toughest challenges lie ahead. I’ve read people’s stories that the ALS Society of Canada (ALS Canada) shares through their blog and social media. I was deeply concerned that many families struggle to afford all the medication and equipment they need.

That’s why I decided to raise money for ALS Canada in the Walk to End ALS last year. Everyone battling this disease should have the medical, physical, and emotional support they need, and ALS Canada does everything they can to make that happen. They also fund research, which is the only way we’ll get to a cure.

Our team, Steady Freddie’s Warriors, contributed to Sault Ste. Marie raising more than $80,000 last year. This was all part of the outpouring of support from our amazing community. I was especially moved when “100 Men Who Care,” the men’s charity group I’m a part of, chose to dedicate their quarterly donations to my team.

Steady Freddie’s Warriors are walking again this year, and I hope you’ll help us end the month of June strong. Please make a donation at walktoendals.ca/ontario to help us reach our goal for the ALS Canada Walk to End ALS.

Thanks to a partnership between ALS Canada and Brain Canada, 40% of donations to the Walk to End ALS will be matched up to $1 million for the ALS Canada Research Program. This means the impact of your donation is immediately doubled and invested in critical research.

Thank you very much,

Freddie Pozzebon
Living with ALS since 2023