Dr Pamela Valentine, President and CEO of MS Canada, has been at the forefront of the fight against multiple sclerosis (MS) since 2018. Under her leadership, MS Canada provides critical support programs and funds pioneering research aimed at treating, understanding, and ultimately curing MS. With Canada having one of the highest rates of MS globally—an average of 12 new diagnoses daily—the need for awareness and support is paramount. In collaboration with A&W Canada, the annual Burgers to Beat MS campaign has raised over $20 million since 2008, significantly contributing to MS Canada’s mission. On August 22, $2 from every Teen Burger sold at A&W locations nationwide will support this cause. Dr. Valentine, a passionate neuroscientist, emphasizes the importance of community involvement and fundraising to advance research and support those affected by MS. Join the campaign by visiting your local A&W, donating online, or engaging with the movement on social media using #BurgersToBeatMS.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
MS Canada provides support programs and quality information for Canadians navigating their MS journey. We also fund research towards our ambitious goals of advancing treatment and care, enhancing well-being, understanding and halting disease progression, and preventing MS.
What problem does it aim to solve?
Canada has one of the highest rates of MS in the world. On average, 12 Canadians are diagnosed with MS every day and everyone experiences MS differently. Funds raised from Burgers to Beat MS Day help MS Canada offer programs that support the MS community, funding research aimed at answering the most challenging questions about MS, and ultimately bring us one step closer to a world free of MS.
When did you start/join it?
I joined MS Canada in 2018.
What made you want to get involved?
As a trained neuroscientist, I’m a passionate advocate for leading innovation and change in health research and care. I joined MS Canada to help accelerate research for better treatments and care, advocate for policy and system changes, and work towards improving lives for people living with MS. I believe in achieving impact in the health domain, a passion I developed as a basic scientist with a strong desire to facilitate translation between basic research and clinical care.
What was the situation like when you started?
When I started with MS Canada in 2018, A&W Burgers to Beat MS was in its 10th year.
How has it changed since?
To date, Burgers to Beat MS has raised more than $20 million and we are thrilled to celebrate the sixteenth year of A&W franchisees, employees and guests’ ongoing commitment to making a difference for people living with MS. Each year A&W franchisees go above and beyond in the lead-up to and especially on the day of Burgers to Beat MS. Many locations have fundraising traditions like raffles, car shows and dunk tanks that have been in place since year one and bring the whole community together.
What more needs to be done?
Canada has one of the highest rates of MS globally, with an average of 12 new diagnoses in Canada every day, that’s a diagnosis every 2 hours. There are more than 90,000 Canadians currently living with MS. To raise awareness of the impact of this disease and help those living with MS to enjoy a better quality of life, we encourage collective action. This year we look to drive awareness of the impact of MS through Burgers to Beat MS with media, consumers and on the ground at A&W locations. Through the Burgers to Beat MS campaign, MS Canada can further its investment in groundbreaking research and continue to support all Canadians affected by MS.
How can our readers help?
On Thursday, August 22, $2 from every A&W Teen Burger sold across Canada will go towards helping Canadians living with MS. We invite people across the country to come together on that day with their burger family and make a meaningful impact on the lives of Canadians living with and affected by MS, as well as their friends, family and network of dedicated supporters. In the lead up to Burgers to Beat MS Day, supporters can participate by rounding up any purchase at an A&W restaurant, donate online at BurgersToBeatMS.ca or through the A&W app, or by selecting donation options in the A&W menu list on delivery apps, such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, and SkiptheDishes.
Do you have any events coming up?
A&W Burgers to Beat MS Day takes place on Thursday, August 22 at all A&W Canada locations.
Where can we follow you?
Help raise awareness by using #BurgersToBeatMS on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook!
– A&W Canada: @AWCanada
– MS Canada: @MSCanadaOfficial
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
I’ll acknowledge the work of many local organizations who are supporting those affected by the Jasper wildfires. As an Albertan, this is an important cause in our community right now.
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Campaign Overview:
A&W’s annual Burgers to Beat MS campaign is celebrating 16 years of supporting Multiple Sclerosis Canada (MS Canada). A&W Canada has raised more than $20 million in support of MS Canada over the last 15 years. Donations will continue to help MS Canada fund critical research and support programs that are fundamental to changing lives – bringing us one step closer to a world free of MS. On Thursday, August 22, $2 from every A&W Teen Burger sold across Canada will go towards helping Canadians living with multiple sclerosis (MS). We invite people across the country to come together and make a meaningful impact on the lives of Canadians living with and affected by MS, as well as their friends, family and network of dedicated supporters. Funds raised help MS Canada continue offering programs that improve the quality of life of the MS community, and funding research aimed at answering the most challenging questions about MS. Key Messages:
• Burgers to Beat MS is on Thursday, August 22nd. On this day, A&W will donate $2 from every Teen Burger® sold across Canada to MS Canada.
• A&W’s annual Burgers to Beat MS campaign unites people across the country to support the cause and have a meaningful impact in assisting Canadians living with MS. The campaign has raised more than $20 million in over 15 years.
• In the lead up to Burgers to Beat MS Day, supporters can participate by rounding up any purchase at an A&W restaurant, donate online at BurgersToBeatMS.ca or through the A&W app, or by selecting donation options in the A&W menu list on delivery apps, such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, and SkiptheDishes.
• With fundraising activities from A&W’s operators, staff, and guests, we aim to raise funds in support of Canadians living with MS and fund research that will be instrumental in changing lives.
• Canada has one of the highest rates of MS in the world. On average, 12 Canadians are diagnosed with MS every day. With more than 90,000 Canadians living with MS, it is the most common neurological disease affecting young adults in Canada.
• 60% of adults diagnosed with MS are between the ages of 20 and 49. While anyone can be diagnosed with MS, women are up to three times more likely to be diagnosed than men.
• A&W has over 1,000 restaurants across the country. On August 22, take your burger family to visit your local restaurant to participate in Burgers to Beat MS Day.
