Two years ago, Heather Snell was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative disorder also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.  Today, Heather is unable to speak and was recently equipped with a feeding tube. 

But since her life-changing diagnosis, Heather has become the embodiment of hope, transcending her debilitating illness while focusing her energies on raising money to find a cure.  Driven by a close circle of friends and a supportive family, Heather’s Hootenanny for Hope was born.  The inaugural event took place last summer at a 100-year-old farm in North Dumfries Township, Ontario.  Hoping to sell 500 tickets, Heather and her friends were overwhelmed by the response from the community.  They quadrupled their ticket sales and raised $40,000 for the cause.  People came for a full day of musical entertainment, a silent auction, a country market, and all around good company where they generously donated thousands of dollars.  But the highlight of last year’s event was the touching and remarkable moment when Heather played piano for the crowd. 

Zack Werner, Canadian Idol judge and honourary chairperson for the Walk for ALS, made a special effort to attend.  “Meeting Heather reconfirms for everyone how precious and blessed life is no matter what direction it takes us,” he says.  “She is a message to all of us who get lost in our daily battles and turn our eyes from the prize.”

After the event, Heather’s crew of family and friends were able to travel to London, thanks to ‘Aunt Connie’, and personally present a cheque to the grateful recipient, Dr. Michael Strong, ALS researcher and Chief of Neurology at London Health Sciences Centre. “I know that at the centre of every great effort there is always a deep and warm affection for the person, and after meeting with Heather and her tremendous friends, I have no doubt of this,” Dr. Strong says.  “I’m reminded of a line by Bruce Cockburn who wrote ‘kick at the darkness until it bleeds daylight.’  Knowing that music plays a central role in Heather’s life, I think this embodies everything that she and her friends do as they help find a cure for ALS.”

Building on last year’s phenomenal success, Heather’s Hootenanny for Hope 2008 will take place in Paris, Ontario on Saturday, August 9.  The venue, donated by the Paris Agricultural Society, promises to be bigger and better than last year.  What started as a wonderful family event on a farm has now been expanded through sponsorship by CTV—Southwestern Ontario, and three stages of musical entertainment including Zack Werner’s band Haymaker traveling all the way from Calgary, Canadian country music star, Bev Mahood, Gregory Hoskins, and vocal ensemble Distinction featuring Heather on the piano once again.

Armed with her Blackberry, a sense of humour, and an attitude to live life to the fullest, Heather’s Hootenanny for Hope is guaranteed to make a difference in the lives of those affected by ALS, and make memories that Heather and her friends will cherish forever.