Mike Pearson and Donna Bartel will take part in triathlons in every province and territory to raise funds for ALS research and supports.

By Tommy Osborne

Tri'ing to end ALS

B.C. couple taking part in triathlons across the country to end ALS

May 28, 2025 | 5:55 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Donna Bartel and Mike Pearson of Vernon, B.C., are taking on an incredible challenge: running in triathlons in every province and territory in a four and a half month span. Their campaign “Tri’ing to end ALS” is fundraising for ALS research and supports.

“We are trying to end ALS by doing a triathlon in every province and territory across Canada,” Bartel said.

They will be taking part in the PG Northern Triathlon on June 1 as part of this campaign, which is just the third triathlon of the entire journey. Their previous runs faced some challenges, as Pearson described the most recent triathlon in Vancouver as “one of the most miserable races we have ever done,” due to cold, rainy conditions. Despite this, he says they’re always happy to take part because they remember what they’re doing it all for.

“People who have ALS don’t have a choice. They got to get up every morning and do the best they can do for the time they have left, and it’s the same with the families of people who have ALS. They don’t have a choice whether to deal with it or not, so a little bit of rain and cold isn’t going to stop us from finishing the races,” Pearson said.

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“We’re meeting a lot of people that have a connection with ALS, so it can be emotionally taxing on us. But like Mike said, we have an option, if you have ALS you don’t, and it’s just knowing that we’re making a big difference in people’s lives that have ALS,” Bartel continued.

Bartel has a very personal connection to ALS, as her mother was diagnosed with ALS in 1999 and would pass away due to it. While the “Tri’ing to end ALS” campaign is new, Bartel and Pearson are no strangers when it comes to fundraising for ALS research and support. Since Bartel’s first fundraising run in 2001, it’s estimated that she and Pearson have earned around $750,000, and this current campaign has a goal of $600,000.

“Each province where we race will see 50% of the money will go to Project Hope, a new clinical research centre out at UBC (University of British Columbia), and 50% of the funds will go to client services in the province where it is donated,” Pearson explained.

He added all of the funds will go to these initiatives, and none of the funds raised go towards the costs Pearson and Bartel will pay due to travelling across the country. Bartel added that Project Hope is particularly significant, as it will be the first location in all of B.C. to offer clinical trials for ALS.

“Currently if you want to be involved with clinical trials, you have to go to Montreal, Toronto, down in the States, worldwide,” Bartel said.

If you are interested in learning more or donating, you can visit the Tri’ing to end ALS website here.

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