VANCOUVER—After two years of COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions, A&W announces their 14th annual Burgers to Beat MS, will return as an in-person event on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022.
For every Teen Burger sold that day at A&W locations across Canada, $2 will be donated to the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) society. This year’s goal is to raise $1.5 million to help support Canadians living with MS.
In their news release, A&W indicated that as of July 27,2022, Canadians can begin supporting this cause by donating online at BurgersToBeatMS.ca or rounding up their purchase made at any A&W restaurant to the nearest dollar as a lead up to Burgers to Beat MS Day.
Teen burgers purchased via dine-in, take-out, drive-thru and with third-party delivery partners across Canada will go towards supporting MS.
For the past six years, Olympic gold medalist Christina Sinclair has been joining A&W Canada and the MS Society of Canada in honour of her mother, Sandra, who lived with MS, making Burgers to Beat MS Day a fundraiser close to her heart.
"My mother, Sandra Sinclair is my inspiration in life. She's the strongest person I have ever met, and the reason I am where I am today," says Christine. "MS has had a direct effect on my family, and I understand what others are going through who are living with this disease. It's important we come together to raise funds and awareness for the MS Society through initiatives like Burgers to Beat MS Day. I encourage everyone to support however they can, leading up to and on August 18."
To date A&W has raised over $17 million dollars in support of the MS. Funds raised over the past 13 years have gone to fund research, support and services needed to help change lives and help A&W bringing their goal to creating a world free of MS, once step closer.
"The A&W Canada team is thrilled to kickoff fundraising for the 14th year of Burgers to Beat MS," says Susan Senecal, President and CEO, A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. "Each year, this campaign brings communities together to raise funds and awareness of MS in Canada. Across the country especially our franchisees and their teams are eager to celebrate this important annual event and we can't wait to see the results of this year's efforts!"
Gaby Mammone, MS volunteer stated, "Supporters that visit A&W restaurants are making such a difference. My experience has been amazing - watching families across the country gather for a common cause excites me. We are one step closer to finding a cure - I may have MS, and I also have hope.”
Canada has one of the highest rates of MS in the world, with over 90,000 Canadians living with this disease. MS is a complex and unpredictable disease, affecting each person differently. Common symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, (muscle) weakness, impaired sensation, vision loss, mood changes, and cognitive impairment. MS is the most common neurological disease affecting young adults in Canada. The cause of MS remains a unknown and while there is currently no cure, researchers are learning more each day about what causes the disease and ways to prevent it. The MS Society provides programs and services to people with MS and their families, and funds research to ultimately find a cure for this disease.
"We are grateful for our 14-year partnership with A&W. Burgers to Beat MS is an incredibly valued event which has helped to raise awareness and provide support to people living with MS in communities all across Canada. The A&W family has helped to ensure the achievement of significant advancements in research that have led to improved treatment and care of Canadians living with MS," says Pamela Valentine, President and CEO, MS Society of Canada.
