The Tony Proudfoot Fund – for Families and for Research
The Tony Proudfoot Fund at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital continues to support young neurologists at the master’s, doctoral and post-doctoral level who wish to undertake research projects that specifically focus on ALS. The Tony Proudfoot Fund also supports the ALS Society of Quebec’s mission to improve the living conditions of people with ALS and provides support for their family members across the province. The Fund also supports NOVA West Island support group for ALS family and caregivers.
Get Involved with the Tony Proudfoot Fund!
There are many ways you can show your support for the Tony Proudfoot Fund. Your gift will support research as well as improve living conditions for families touched by ALS. You can also become a volunteer and join Team Proudfoot at the yearly Walk for ALS in Montreal.
The Tony Proudfoot Fund Promotes the Science of Tomorrow
The Tony Proudfoot Training Fellowship in ALS research at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital supports promising young scientists at the master’s, doctoral and post-doctoral level who wish to undertake research projects that specifically focus on ALS.
- $913,000 has been raised since 2007.
- On January 29th, 2016, Audrey Dangoumau received the Tony Proudfoot Training Fellowship for her studies on ALS with Dr Guy Rouleau’s team.
- Dr Adèle Salin-Cantegrel, 2010 Tony Proudfoot Post-doctoral Fellow, completed her post-graduate training at the Université de Montréal.
- Marie-Noelle Boivin was recruited to the laboratory of Dr Amit Bar-Or in September 2009, where she has been establishing stem cell culture systems with the support of the Tony Proudfoot Fund.
- Dr Miranda Tradewell, 2009 Tony Proudfoot Post-doctoral Fellow, worked in Dr Heather Durham’s lab on understanding the mechanisms behind motor neurone disease.
Tony Proudfoot’s Legacy Lives On
Tony Proudfoot lost his battle with ALS in 2010, a battle he fought with strength, dignity and determination. His legacy will forever remain etched in history: Tony not only helped raise funds for the cause with the Tony Proudfoot Fund, he put this disease at the forefront and raised significant awareness among thousands of people across Canada.
Tony was one of our greatest ambassadors. Every day his contributions inspire us to continue the battle against ALS. His selfless wish to fight the disease publicly has tremendously helped bring ALS at the forefront of people’s mind. We are forever grateful for his contributions to the cause.
In the news
Proudfoot died from ALS on Dec. 30, 2010, at age 61, but not before writing six articles for the Montreal Gazette describing the different stages of his battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Stu Cowan: Inspirational Proudfoot a perfect fit for Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame (The Gazette)
Tony Proudfoot was an all-star defensive back in the Canadian Football League (CFL).
Tony graduated from the University of New Brunswick in 1971 with a Bachelor of Physical Education. He joined the Montreal Alouettes and played football for the team for nine seasons, from 1971 to 1979, during which he played 107 games. He also played in five Grey Cup Championships and won two cups with the Montreal team, going down in CFL history. He then went on to play three seasons with the B.C. Lions for a total of 41 games from 1980 to 1982.
On September 13, 2006, Tony, a Physical Education teacher, was present during the Dawson College shooting in Montreal and used his knowledge of first aid to help save a student’s life.
Up until 2007, he was a sports broadcaster, covering the Montreal Alouettes on CJAD radio station. He has also written a book about excellence in football entitled “First and Goal!”
After receiving his diagnosis in 2007, he resigned from Dawson College, where he taught for over 30 years.
This mosaic consists of 500 photos of people affected by Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or who have helped to raise awareness and funds for the cause. In the background is a photo of Tony Proudfoot, a symbol of strength, courage and perseverance in the face of adversity – the very qualities exhibited by the people whose photos are at the forefront in their battle with this disease.
