Meet the Sands family; a well-known family from the Maple Ridge community best known for their athletically gifted children and their generous charity work. Mike, the father is a nurse who worked 2 full-time jobs to support his three children, is known for his athletic ability; an avid runner and cyclist; and his great sense of humour. Nadine, the mother is a part-time fitness instructor and stay at home mom; Nadine is also well-known for philanthropic work with Project Wellness, a charity created by Nadine’s parents George and Sheila. Project Wellness is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing food, clean water, medicine and education to orphans in Malawi, Africa; the organization has also done humanitarian work in Brazil and Paraguay Mike and Nadine’s three children, Erin, Nathan and Madison are all known for their athletic abilities from taking after mom teaching spinning classes to winning National championships and scholarships for Hockey. They are also known for their charity work, helping out with Project Wellness and organizing fundraising walks for medical research.  

In 2010, Mike Sands developed some muscle twitches. It wasn’t until the spring of 2011, when Mike and Nadine decided these twitches could no longer be brushed off as “dehydration” that Mike went to see their family doctor. After a series of testing and specialist visits, Mike Sands was diagnosed with ALS on March 7th, 2011. From then on, the Sands family’s world flipped upside-down. Mike’s illness has since taken his ability to work, to drive, to run, to walk, to cycle, and to speak. Due to the lack of accessibility equipment Mike and Nadine had to sell their family home in August of 2012. Mike and Nadine moved into a family member’s basement suite, and in doing so had to give up their two cats and the family dog. Nadine has been unable to work, as Mike needs 24 hour care. At this time, Nadine is looking to go back to school to create a better future for herself after Mike’s inevitable passing. Nadine plans to become a Care Aid worker for children with Special Needs.

Over the past three and a half years the Sand’s family has watched their husband; their father deteriorate before their eyes. They are well aware that Mike’s days are numbered, and are simply trying to enjoy every one of his final days. Nadine has blogged about the family’s experiences with ALS to keep distant family members updated on his wellbeing, and to inspire others who may be going through similar journeys. One of the most striking quotes of her blog that I believe captures the hardships of living with such a devastating disease goes as follows: “Faith, hope and love are what we hold on to as we learn to let go…Mike has let go of working, walking, talking, eating, moving and slowly he lets go of breathing. And I am letting go of him.”

In honour of the Sands family, I would like to challenge you all to help raise some funds to surprise Nadine with. This would help Nadine with medical bills, medical supplies, home care, tuition and more. I feel that with ALS in the spotlight with the “Ice Bucket Challenge” it would be an opportune time to help out a family who has been living with ALS and could truly use the support. 

Please dedicate your "Ice Bucket Challenge" videos to Mike Sands using the hashtag #ILikeMike and spread the word (just not to the Sands family, we're trying to keep it a secret). For those of you who can, please donate a few dollars to help out this deserving family. 

Thank you in advance for your support, and in honor of the Sands family, God Bless.