For Shanna Juszko, the hardest part about losing her mother is not being able to hear her voice.

B次元官网网址淚 used to talk to her three times a day,B次元官网网址� Juszko says.

JuszkoB次元官网网址檚 mother, Dianna Goffin, passed away from amyotrohpic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, in July, after a short, seven-month battle with the disease.

B次元官网网址淔or me, itB次元官网网址檚 (remembering her) every day. I wake up in the morning and think, B次元官网网址極h, I havenB次元官网网址檛 talked to mum in awhile, I should call her.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淭hen I realizeB次元官网网址�,B次元官网网址� she says, her voice softening as her eyes grow damp.

ALS, commonly known as Lou GehrigB次元官网网址檚, is a fatal neuromuscular disease. It attacks the bodyB次元官网网址檚 nerves, used to send messages from the brain to the muscles. Eventually, those diagnosed with ALS lose all mobility, including the ability to speak, swallow and breathe. However, the brain often remains healthy and alert.

The average life expectancy for people diagnosed with ALS is three to five years.

Born in Comox, Dianna spent most of her life in Campbell River and lived in Courtenay for the past six years. The active 64-year-old loved hockey, golfing and knitting. But most of all, she loved her family.

B次元官网网址淪he just loved life, and travelling, and spending time with family and friends,B次元官网网址� her daughter says.

After retiring, Dianna spent the next 11 years travelling throughout B.C., the Yukon, Alberta, and the western United States with her husband, Bob Goffin.

The couple of almost 45 years spent winters down south. But this past winter, their trip was cut short. After leaving their Courtney home last October, Dianna knew something was wrong.

B次元官网网址淗er muscles were twitching and she just generally didnB次元官网网址檛 feel all that great,B次元官网网址� Juszko recalls.

By the end of November, the Goffins returned to Saanich, convinced by their daughter to stay with her.

Dianna was diagnosed with ALS on Dec. 5, 2011. B次元官网网址淪he was angry,B次元官网网址� Justzko says. B次元官网网址淪he was really angry. And for the first little while (asked), B次元官网网址榃hy me? Why did this happen to me?B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�

In January, her health took a downturn. During a family outing, Dianna experienced a foot drop, a common sign of ALS where the muscles in the foot become too weak to lift the leg.

She learned let go of the anger, and Dianna started enjoying the time she had left with her family.

The Goffins even hosted a family barbecue, with about 25 guests, at their home the night before Dianna passed.

B次元官网网址淲e didnB次元官网网址檛 realize it was going to be that fast,B次元官网网址� Juszko says. B次元官网网址淪he actually came outside and sat with everybody for the barbecue.B次元官网网址�

That next day, on July 10, DiannaB次元官网网址檚 breathing got worse. And within 45 minutes she passed away with her family by her side.

B次元官网网址淪he decided she wanted to go gracefully, with as much dignity as possible. She fought it right till the end.B次元官网网址�

Juszko, her father, and almost 30 family and friends will participate in the Victoria Walk for ALS on Sunday, in memory of Dianna. ItB次元官网网址檚 their first year walking to help raise funds for the ALS Society of B.C. B次元官网网址� which goes towards equipment and support for families affected by ALS, as well as research to find a cure.

Besides supporting the Goffin family, the society also provided Dianna with much-needed equipment and care, which costs an average $137,000 per patient.

The Victoria Walk for ALS takes place Sept. 16, 12:30 p.m. in Lot 6 at the University of Victoria. The walk around Ring Road starts at 1 p.m.

Last yearB次元官网网址檚 event raised $28,000. This year, organizers aim to raise $35,000.

To register for this yearB次元官网网址檚 walk, see walkforals.ca. For more information, email victoriawalk@alsbc.ca.

Grim facts of ALS

About 3,000 Canadians currently live with ALS and each day, two to three Canadians die from the disease.

There is no known cause of ALS, nor is there a cure. Ninety per cent of those diagnosed with ALS die within five years.

editor@saanichnews.com