Donald Watt had always thought he was one of very few people who had been personally effected by ALS, or Lou Gerhig's disease, when his father passed away from the debilitating illness, but since deciding to take on the Walk for ALS, he has been surprised by the response.

"There's lots of connection,” said Watt. He has had many people tell him about a relative or friend who suffers from the disease.

The ALS Walk, that is happening this Sunday on the Millennium Trail, is the first one to happen in the Yukon, and it wouldn't have happened at all if it hadn't been for one woman.

Thalina Tchulokovsky, who suffered from ALS, passed away in May after her battle with the disease. It was her efforts that brought the walk to the Yukon by asking the B.C. ALS society to include the Yukon.

"Without Thalina pushing B.C. it wouldn't have happened this year,” said Watt.

The walk's starting line will be at Rotary Park despite the construction being done in the parking lot. Watt says the torn up lot is not stopping him and his volunteers from going out to try to raise funds for ALS.

"I don't want people to be discouraged and not show up,” he said. "We will be there.”

Participants do not have to be pre-registered to participate, although Watt has been at a few community events spreading awareness of the run where he has given out many forms.

"I'm really surprised at the amount of people who have taken a registration form and said they're coming,” said Watt. "I'm encouraged.”

All you need to participate is a donation, and registration can be done at the event.

Upon registering, participants will get a Walk for ALS t-shirt, and once they pass the finish line, a toque until supplies last.

Watt is hoping the inaugural event will be a starting point, and that next year he will be able to make it even bigger and better.

The money from the event will go to the ALS Society of British Columbia and Yukon for research and support of those suffering from ALS.

Watt says a person in Dawson has recently been diagnosed with ALS, and money from this event will help support that family.

ALS is also called Lou Gerhig's disease, after the famous New York Yankees baseball player who died from the disease in 1941.

Back then, the newly discovered disease had no cure, no drugs and its cause was unknown. After 70 years, there is still no cure and the cause remains unknown.

"That's why we really need to do this walk, to raise awareness and to raise funds,” said Watt.

Recent research has suggested there may be genetic factors that could increase the chance of getting ALS.

The disease slowly deteriorates muscles in the body, while the mind remains completely intact. Eventually the disease stops all voluntary muscle movement, including the muscles involved with breathing.

"It's a totally debilitating disease,” said Watt. "It just slowly shuts you down.”

Watt is hoping for a decent sized crowd on Sunday.

"I think it will be successful, and we'll build on it for next year,” he said.

The person who raises the most money will receive a prize. Watt would like to someday have more prizes for participants.

After this event, Watt will start looking towards next year's walk, and to possibly include a concession and entertainment. More volunteers will be needed to help out in the future to make the event bigger.

"We can always do with more committed people,” said Watt.

Registration starts at 11 a.m. and the walk begins at 12:30 p.m.

"I want to see everyone out there at Rotary Park,” said Watt. "I'm confident that we'll get a lot of walkers out.”