Hundreds of supporters bundled up and huddled under umbrellas Sunday for the 10th annual walk for ALS, including formal CFL star Tony Proudfoot, who suffers from the illness.

Known as Lou Gehrig's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS is fatal within an average of two to five years as it attacks the body's motor neurons, gradually making it impossible to walk, speak or swallow.

Proudfoot was diagnosed three years ago, and since then has been working to raise money and awareness.

The walk in Montreal raised $128,000, and a combined $200,000 was raised at a total of seven events held across Quebec throughout the month of September.

"More money is raised every year," said a very ill Proudfoot, who attended the event in a wheelchair.

Despite his fragile health, Proudfoot continues to use his star power to support the annual walk, one of many ongoing fundraisers jointly put on by the ALS Society of Quebec and the Tony Proudfoot Fund.

"Even though he's struggling physically, he's been a force for us raising money and writing about the disease and staying involved. To see him here today is fantastic," said Alanna Damphousse, spokesperson for the ALS Society of Quebec.

Others, like Maria Medeiros, walked in memory of those who had succumbed to the disease.

Medeiros walked with her family, in memory of her husband Paolo, who died last month at the age of 42, after a four-year battle with the disease.

"I'm happy we did it. At first I didn't think I would be able to do so, but we found the courage to do it. We did for him, and it feels good to have done this for him," she said.

Sarah Shahani lost her father to the disease and said it is devastating to watch a victim's body fail, when their mind was still functioning perfectly.

"Your brain is 110 per cent, so it makes it all that much harder because it makes you feel trapped in your own body. To see a loved one go through that, it's awful," she said.

Those who walked in the rain raised money and awareness, and did it for one of their heroes, Tony Proudfoot.

"He's an incredible human being, so I'm going to keep coming," said participant Ellen Shizgal