
Over 4 Years Battling ALS
ALS Warrior Spotlight
Jeff Derby, ALS Warrior
My name is Jeff Derby, I’m 62 years old and live in White Rock, BC with my wife Sue. We have been married for 42 years and have 3 kids and 5 grandkids ranging from ages 2-9 years old. We lived in Vancouver for many years while I was working at Western Forest Products as the Western Red Cedar Sales Manager. During this time I was on the WFP cycling team and rode for 7 years in the “Ride To Conquer Cancer” 120km ride in which our team was able to raise over $500,000 for the charity during this time. In addition to cycling I also played rec hockey, golfed regularly and enjoyed owning and working on muscle cars and rare sport cars. After retiring in 2017 Sue and I decided to leave the city and move closer to our family.
ALS Warrior Spotlight
ALS Diagnosis &
Local Treatment
ALS Warrior Spotlight
My Time At Seattle's
Swedish Medical Center
In September 2018, I was accepted into a clinical trial called AMX0035 at the Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, Washington. The experience with the clinic, Neurologists and staff was amazing! A level of care and hope that we don’t experience in B.C. today. I believe that this is a result of the B.C. ALS Clinic not having a full time Neurologist or research staff that are able to manage trials. I feel that the trial drug has slowed my progression and I only wish all my friends in the ALS community could have access to it. This is the reason to donate to the “Project Hope” through ALS Society of British Columbia so that ALS patients can attend a world class facility that will offer clinical trials and the level of care deserved in our great province.


ALS Warrior Spotlight
Never Stop Fighting
I now have likely had ALS for more than 4 years. Although the progression has moved slowly in my hands and arms, over the past year I have had more difficulty breathing at night and now rely on a bi-pap machine to sleep. What my journey has taught us is that being an ALS patient in beautiful British Columbia you unfortunately have to be your own advocate, otherwise you will only wait for the inevitable. Our goal from day one was to do everything we could so that I would be around for a viable treatment or cure when found. I continue to fight daily to achieve my goal with a daily routine of light fitness, breathing exercises, drug treatments and supplements.