Westphal - Cole Harbour
Firefighters Association
Responding to our community
20th Annual Don Crook Memorial Ladder-a-thon
Major Sponsors:
Contributing Sponsors:
Aable Fuels |
Nubody's Fitness Centres |
Allsco |
O'Reagan's |
Arthur Currie Heating |
Pudgey Tire |
Bank of Montreal - MicMac Mall |
R & R Kinsmans Auto Salvage |
Bayshore Contracting |
R.V. Wheel Estate |
Brightwood Gold and Country Club |
Ruggles Towing Service |
Canada Bread Atlantic |
Serco |
Chris Brothers Cole Harbour |
SNC Lavalin |
Credit Union Atlantic - Cole Harbour |
Subway - Cole Harbour |
Dave's Fruit & Vegetable Market |
Superstore - Cole Harbour |
Fong's Resturant |
Superior Propane |
Fred M. Dunphy Excavating & Construction |
TD Canada Trust - Cole Harbour |
Grandview Golf & Country Club |
The Tool Box |
HRM Councilor Bill Karsten |
Toads Cycle Works Ltd. |
HRM Councilor Lorelei Nicoll |
Walkers Feed |
Miller Tire |
What is Muscular Dystrophy?
Muscular dystrophy is the name for a group of neuromuscular disorders that are characterized by progressive weakness and wasting of the voluntary muscles that control body movement. As muscle tissue weakens and wastes away, it is replaced by fatty and connective tissue.
Each form of muscular dystrophy is caused by an error in a specific gene associated with muscle function; however, specific disorders within this group vary in many ways. The muscles involved are different from one disorder to another. The severity of the symptoms, the age at which the symptoms appear, how fast the symptoms progress, and what pattern of inheritance the disorder follows, are all factors which differ among the various forms of muscular dystrophy. Even within a specific disorder, several individuals with the same disorder may experience the disorder and its symptoms quite differently.
Muscular dystrophies are genetic disorders. Forms of muscular dystrophy can be passed on from generation to generation, or they can occur spontaneously in a single individual as the result of a mutation of a particular gene. Contrary to popular belief, muscular dystrophy is not exclusively a childhood disorder - anyone can be affected. While some types of muscular dystrophy are first evident in infancy or early childhood, other types may not appear until later in life.
Over time, persons with neuromuscular disorders may lose the ability to walk, speak, and ultimately breathe. For some individuals, the disorder is fatal. There is currently no cure.
Who was Don Crook?
Don Crook was a outstanding member of the Westphal
- Cole Harbour community. From Captain, Firefighter, and serving on all
the committees of the WCHFFA. He started the MD committee in 1975 to
raise money for Muscular Dystrophy on behalf of the WCHFFA, in 1990 the
first ladder-a-thon raised only $1,000 , last year WCHFFA raised $40,000
for a ongoing total of more than $540,000 to date. In 1992 Don Crook
lost his battle with cancer and WCHFFA has honored him by dedicating
this event in his name. His wife and children still participate every
year.
What is a ladder-a-thon?
Each year volunteers from all around help the Westphal - Cole Harbour Firefighters Association with the Don Crook Memorial Ladder-a-thon. The Ladder-a-thon is our biggest fundraiser of the year and with support from our the community including local business we managed to last year raise over $40,000
Eugene Jodrey – 1990
Derrick Harty – 1991
Matt Parker – 1992
Robert Thomas – 1993
Craig Mallon – 1994
Ron LeRue – 1995
Dave Clarke – 1996
Bob Pattison – 1997
John Stewart – 1998
Scott Jodrey – 1999
Roger Bourque – 2000
Phil Sheering – 2001
Allan Ball – 2002
Adam MacNeil – 2003
Steve Hollis – 2004
Joe Triff – 2005
Donald Cyr – 2006
Andrew Lockyer – 2007
Jimmy Nickerson – 2008
How can I donate?
You can donate either by joining us on the weekend of June 19th,20,21 at 4 Forest hills Parkway in Cole Harbour and see on of our volunteers with a book or buy a hot dog or just come see the first trucks on Sunday from 10-2. or if you are unable to make the event you can donate online by clicking HERE.