Past Grant Recipients
of the Steve Daly Compassionate Care Fund
Jake Thompson, Dan Pubben, and Louis Del Re
give thanks to the Stevie Fever Foundation
Jake Thompson
Jake was diagnosed with ALS at 30 years old - shortly after his mom passed away from cancer and he has been living with ALS for five years now, but he hasn't let that slow him down.
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Jake enjoys being outdoors with his friends and family, so through the Steve Daly Compassionate Care Grant we were able to help him get an all-terrain walker to remain active and independent throughout the winter.
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We are honoured to have been able to help Jake stay active in the ways that mattered most to him.
Dan Pubben
Dan was diagnosed with ALS at just 42. With the help of his sister Lindsay, the family planned a special trip to Disneyworld this past January—creating lasting memories with their two young children, ages 9 and 4. At the same time, their Calgary home was undergoing major renovations to accommodate Dan’s changing needs.
We were honoured to ease a bit of the burden and help make this unforgettable trip happen.
This is what your support makes possible—joy, comfort, and time together.
Louis Del Re
Lou got diagnosed with ALS at age 30, and it made him need to take a second and rediscover who he is from the identity crisis of no longer being the physical athlete he knew he was.
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However, he learned that being an athlete is not only physical - but it is also a mindset and something rooted deep within you. He now serves as a board member of ALS Action Canada.
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The grant enabled Lou to travel to Milan to watch the 2026 Olympics. This trip allows him to see all his favourite hockey players compete for a world title while spending precious time with his wife Emily.
Lynda Chedore
Lynda has been in long-term care as she lives with ALS. She can no longer walk or stand, let alone use her arms and hands.
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She stated that she needed a wheelchair to help go from room to room, as well as to different appointments at the hospital.
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Through this grant, Lynda was able to receive a customized wheelchair that improved her comfort. She now has a wheelchair that is completely adjusted to suit her, adding bits of comfort while dealing with ALS, and giving some ease when travelling.
Xhezmi Zendeli
Like many people struggling with ALS, Xhezmi often felt stressed with the struggle of expenses that come with trying to make accessibility possible.
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The grant made it possible for Xhezmi to add a chair lift function to his electric wheelchair. This upgrade has given him greater freedom of movement and eased the stress he once felt about daily mobility, restoring comfort and independence to his life.
Kylee Stemberger
Kylee, born in Guatemala, has had her fair share of challenges throughout her life and is now facing an ALS diagnosis. However, she remains strong and continues moving forward. ALS has significantly impacted her ability to move and be independent.
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​Through this grant, Maria was able to receive a foldable electric wheelchair. This gives back a small portion of freedom and independence to move around, visit family, explore her city, and add some extra joy to her life during this holiday season.
Wael Amery
Wael’s journey began with the symptoms of his voice changing and slurring at times, difficulties swallowing, and a result of a misdiagnosis for an autoimmune disease.
later, did they find out it was not an autoimmune disease but ALS.
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The grant made it possible for Wael to get a motorized wheelchair, a gift that represents more than mobility, but a reminder that support and compassion can restore dignity and joy.
Belle DeZutter
Belle’s son Matthew passed away in July 2022; he was an avid hiker who dreamed of walking the Camino de Santiago.
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Belle carried his dream forward by embarking on the pilgrimage herself, keeping his spirit alive and not letting limitations define her.
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The grant made it possible for Belle to fulfill Matthew’s dream and allowed her to connect with her son spiritually while she navigates her journey with ALS, and shows that travel is possible for people with disabilities.
Dennis Deluca
Through the Steve Daly Compassionate Care Grant, we were honoured to support Dennis and Anna Lisa Deluca and their family—daughter, son-in-law, and two beautiful grandchildren—with a touch of luxury for a very special evening.
Thanks to @alscanada, the Delucas were invited to Lou Gehrig’s Day at the Blue Jays game for a night to remember. Knowing how challenging it can be for Dennis to travel from rural Ontario to downtown Toronto, we arranged for a limousine to pick them up and bring them to the game in comfort and style.
Sometimes it’s the small comforts—like skipping the stress of travel—that allow families to fully soak in moments of connection, joy, and pride. We hope this night gave them just that.
This is what the Steve Daly Compassionate Care Grant is all about—creating meaningful moments for families living with ALS.
Anna Khursheed
My name is Anna Khursheed. I am a mother to seven children. My two youngest have autism and require round-the-clock care, love, and patience. But ALS doesn’t pause for motherhood. It swept into our lives without mercy, stealing my strength little by little—while my children still needed me just the same.
This grant didn’t just help—it changed everything. It gave me the ability to say “yes” to something I never imagined needing: a wheelchair with elevation capabilities. And while it may sound like just a piece of equipment, to me, it was a lifeline.
The first time I rose up in that chair, my youngest son looked at me with the purest joy and said, “Hi Mama, you are here” like I had come back to him. That moment shattered me in the most beautiful way.
This chair gave my children a part of their mom. To those who give—thank you. You are not just donors—you are the reason I can still be ‘Mama.’"
Maria Raposo
When Maria was diagnosed with ALS, she renovated her house and added a lift to be able to face the challenges that come with this disease.
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Her life has changed in ways that are hard to put into words, but she continues to hold strong faith that God will help her through this journey.
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Through this grant, Maria was able to receive a motorized wheelchair that restored her independence. She can now move freely throughout her home, take part in daily activities without relying on others, and rediscover moments of joy and dignity during this difficult time.
Kevin Truss
​Through the Steve Daly Compassionate Care Grant, we were honoured to help Kevin, recently diagnosed with bulbar-onset ALS at 53, take a dream trip to Hawaii with his wife and their two teens. Despite the challenges of traveling with mobility aids, a BiPAP, and a feeding tube, they made it to their favourite place in the world—soaking in sunsets, ocean breezes, and precious moments together.
Their dream of retiring to Maui may no longer be possible, but they made new memories to last a lifetime—and we’re so proud to have played a small part in that.