A Tribute to Matthew Brown

We are extremely saddened at the passing of Matthew Brown, ALS Action Canada Advocacy Committee Member, and ALS Super Fund Advisory Council Member. He left on his own terms on Friday, August 15. During a recent visit, a friend said to Matt: “You make this look easy”. After pondering this well-intended compliment, Matt said: “ALS is like an iceberg. Most people only see the tip of the iceberg - me being positive, hopeful and strong - not the enormous 24/7 struggle caused by this horrid disease.”

Matt was instrumental in ALS Action Canada's advocacy work, and a driving force for ALS Action Canada's Day on the Hill in fall 2024, which brought together the ALS Caucus, government leaders, ALS organizations, and patients and their families from across the country to raise awareness about ALS and advocate for change. Matt utilized his very final hours to make one last request to the ALS Caucus to join forces with patient groups and use his message as kindling to ignite a blaze of passion and commitment to improve the processes and decision-making of Health Canada and the Canadian Drug Agency

Matt was a vital part of ALS Action Canada’s biweekly patient group, and brought creativity, kindness, honesty, and wisdom to all of his interactions, always advocating for an inclusive culture for all. 

As a final gift to help others, Matt chose organ donation. Not only has Matt changed three lives for the better through his gift of life (both kidneys and his liver), but his legacy of advocating for all ALS patients will be remembered and continue to fuel our mission to end ALS.