Michael Halls, whose historic $5-million gift boosted the fight against ALS, loses his long personal battle with the disease.
KELLY PEDRO, Free Press Reporter 2022-02-27 03:18:23
The Londoner who made history four years ago with the largest-ever gift for ALS
research in Canada died yesterday. Michael Halls wanted his $5-million donation
to London researchers to make a difference, said Dr. Michael Strong, the
neurologist who heads the ALS clinic at London Health Sciences Centre.
"He was possibly the most unassuming person you'd ever meet," Strong said
yesterday.
Halls died in the palliative care unit at St. Joseph's Health Care. He was 63.
The Toronto native made his money in the insurance business while living in B.C.
for 25 years.
Halls was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in December 1997.
The fatal neuromuscular disease is commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease
Halls moved to London a year after he was diagnosed to be closer to his family.
He joined ALS support groups and sat on a provincial executive board for ALS.
At the ALS clinic for a routine checkup with Strong, Halls revealed his plan to
donate $5 million.
"You could've blown me over with a feather," Strong recalled.
The 2001 gift put a spotlight on the disease affecting 3,000 Canadians.
"I want this to be my legacy," Halls said in announcing his donation. "This is
an insidious, deadly disease. The more public awareness there is, the more
people are going to contribute to finding a cure."
Halls's gift created the Michael Halls Centre for ALS Research and the Arthur J.
Hudson Chair in ALS Research to support senior researchers and technicians.
The money funds ALS research at the Robarts Research Institute and the Lawson
Health Research Institute, LHSC's research arm.
"He knew we wouldn't have a cure tomorrow, but he knew we needed to put that
framework in place," Strong said.
Halls never complained about his illness, said his brother, Chris. "He didn't
hide behind his disease. He just ignored it."
Halls golfed until two years ago. Despite being fed with a feeding tube for the
last four years, he continued to walk and explore London neighbourhoods.
"He loved to play cribbage and take everybody's money," Chris said.
Though he had money, Halls was pragmatic and simple about life, Chris said.
"On a trip, he'd bunk into a Motel 6 and I'd bunk into a Ritz Carlton."
Halls, who is survived by a son, three grandchildren and two brothers, delivered
Meals on Wheels in his red Mercedes 550 SL convertible until a couple of years
ago.
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