13th Annual Burgers to Beat MS Day Raises $1.4M
Though 13 may be an unlucky number for some, that was not the case for the 13th Annual A&W Canada “Burgers to Beat MS Day.” The initiative raised $1.4 million, bringing the total for the 13-year run to more than $17 million.
On Aug. 19, every A&W Teen Burger sold in restaurants across Canada contributed $2 toward the $1.4 million raised for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. In total, 700,000 burgers were sold to support Canadians living with multiple sclerosis (MS).
According to A&W, this annual drive helps to make it the single largest corporate fundraiser for the MS Society of Canada.
For the fifth year in a row, Olympic gold medalist and Canadian women’s national soccer team captain Christine Sinclair participated in the Burgers to Beat MS Day in honor of her mother Sandi, who was diagnosed with MS more than 30 years ago.
“As an individual who has personally witnessed what it means to live with the impacts of MS, I am wholeheartedly devoted to supporting this cause,” Sinclair said in a press release. “The level of importance around raising funds and awareness is personally very high for me, to support people diagnosed, like her. I am so grateful to see the continuous support and excitement from Canadians around this campaign!”
Canada has one of the highest rates of MS in the world, with an average of 12 Canadians diagnosed per day. It is estimated there are more than 90,000 Canadians living with the disease.
Every year, for the past 13 years, the A&W Burgers to Beat MS day has helped raise funds and awareness for the disease.
“The time and effort our franchisees have put into making 2021’s campaign a soaring success is truly motivating and makes me look forward to the coming years even more,” said Susan Senecal, CEO and president of A&W Food Services of Canada.
“Our restaurants collectively raising over $1.4 million is incredible — Thank you, Canada, for going above and beyond,” Senecal added.
Sinclair, Senecal, and Pamela Valentine, president and CEO of the MS Society of Canada, came together to virtually celebrate Burgers to Beat MS Day by ordering in with friends and family. They also participated in virtual interviews to raise awareness about MS.
“As the 13th annual Burgers to Beat MS comes to a close, we couldn’t be happier with this year’s results and what it means to our organization and people affected by MS,” Valentine said. “Our continued partnership with A&W over the last 13 years has been monumental in supporting our work towards achieving our goal of a world free of MS. Each year we are inspired by the number of Canadians coming together to support this cause to raise funds and awareness for the MS Society.”
The MS Society of Canada offers a variety of services to patients, caregivers, and affected families, and funds MS research.
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