Supporting Canadians, Burger by Burger
It’s been one month since Canadians came together to support our community bite by bite on Burgers to Beat MS Day. We’re so thankful to everyone who was hungry to help and are excited to share that $1.74 million was raised this year (and still counting)!
Since 2008, we’ve partnered with A&W Canada for the Burgers to Beat MS campaign. For one day, $2 from every Teen Burger™ sold across the country supports Canadians affected by MS, and for one month leading up to Burgers to Beat MS Day, customers also have the option of rounding up their bill, giving their change at the till, adding a donation to their mobile order, and donating online.
Since Burgers to Beat MS started, over $23.4 million has been raised. Funds raised help fuel critical research and support programs for the MS community.
Rounding up your bill, donating your change at the till, or buying a Teen Burger™ may seem like small acts, but they’re truly life-changing for the over 90,000 Canadians living with MS and their families.
Your support helps us:
• Advance treatment and care – we fund research to develop treatment and care options leading to improved health outcomes for people living with MS.
• Enhance well-being – we ensure that Canadians affected by MS receive quality access and support. Examples include virtual wellness programs, 1:1 Peer Support, and the MS Knowledge Network.
• Understand and halt disease progression – research we fund is looking to understand the mechanisms, underlying causes, and complexities of MS.
• Prevent MS – we fund research to better understand risk factors for MS and ultimately stop the disease before it starts.
Some people take their Teen Burger™ with a side of fries or onion rings—we also like to take ours with a side of MS facts 📖
🍔 MS is a neurological disease of the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves) and it interferes with the brain’s signals to the rest of the body.
🍔 Over 90,000 Canadians live with MS—one of the highest rates in the world.
🍔 On average, 12 Canadians are diagnosed with MS every day.
🍔 Most people are diagnosed with MS between the ages of 20 and 49.
🍔 Anyone can be diagnosed with MS, but women are up to 3X more likely to be diagnosed than men.
🍔 MS is unpredictable and episodic, and symptoms can vary from day to day, month to month, and person to person.
🍔 Common symptoms include extreme fatigue, lack of coordination, weakness, numbness, tingling, vision problems, bladder and bowel problems, and cognitive and mood changes.
🍔 The cause of MS is unknown and currently there is no cure, but researchers are learning more about the disease every day.
From the Community
Meet Christina, diagnosed with MS in 2016
"The first year I participated in Burgers to Beat MS, an A&W employee thanked me for buying a Teen Burger™, so I shared my MS story with them. It was such a nice moment and really made me feel connected to the cause.
I look forward to Burgers to Beat MS every year! The campaign raises awareness, brings the community together across the country, and creates a safe space for us to talk about MS (and of course enjoy a delicious burger!).
On Burgers to Beat MS Day I wear orange or red, paired with my ‘Crush MS’ sneakers. My go-to order is a Teen Burger™ combo with no pickles, sweet potato fries, and a soda.
Donating and fundraising for the MS community is such a worthwhile and wholesome cause. It’s a long-term investment in research, tools, and support. Every little bit helps. I live for progress and love seeing how research and treatments continue to evolve. Every step forward in MS research gives me hope. While we wait for a cure, it means so much to know there are tools and resources out there to support us.
I was diagnosed with MS in 2016, when I was 21 years old. I’ve been fighting for myself since then, but as of May 21, 2025, I’m no longer only fighting for myself; I have my family and newborn daughter, Marina, keeping me strong and motivating me every day.
That’s why I’ll be heading to A&W on August 21 for Burgers to Beat MS Day. Every Teen Burger™ sold helps make a difference for people like me living with MS."
Meet Caitlyn, diagnosed with MS in 2014
“As someone living with MS, Burgers to Beat MS Day means a lot to me. I was diagnosed after months of unexplained symptoms including numbness, tingling, fatigue, and cognitive fog. When I finally got answers, it was both a relief and an overwhelming experience. There’s no cure for MS, and that was hard to hear. Was I going to be able to play sports again? Were my symptoms going to get worse? What did this mean for my future? Since then, I’ve learned to be patient with myself, ask for help, and lean on my family, friends, and community.
That’s why I support Burgers to Beat MS. Fundraising and awareness make a real impact. Donations support research, new treatments, and support programs that people in the MS community rely on. Every step forward brings us closer to understanding this disease and finding a cure one day.
It’s so important for Canadians to come together on Burgers to Beat MS Day—whether you live with MS, know someone who does, or just want to support a great cause. It’s amazing to see people united across the country, sharing their stories, learning something new, and making a difference.
Every year, I grab a Teen Burger™ (no onions, a side of fries, and a root beer, of course!) and rally my family, friends, and coworkers to join me. I try to make it a double feature and have lunch with coworkers and supper with family. I love seeing the huge turnout at A&W and feeling that sense of community and support.”
Meet Vivek, Petro-Canada A&W Franchisee
“As a Petro-Canada A&W franchisee, Burgers to Beat MS Day is one of my proudest moments each year. The energy in the restaurant is different and feels like we’re part of something bigger.
When I first got involved nine years ago, I didn’t know very much about MS, but over time I’ve learned a lot about the disease. Canada has one of the highest rates of MS in the world. On average, 12 Canadians are diagnosed every day. That’s not just a number—it's families, friends, and co-workers whose lives are changed forever. This campaign is my way of standing beside them.
We meet wonderful people from the MS community each year, but there’s one person I met on Burgers to Beat MS Day in 2021 who I’ve become good friends with. Tony ordered several Teen Burgers™ at the drive-thru and shared his own personal journey with MS. We stayed in touch and my team and I have been joining him and his family at MS Walk since 2022. It’s a friendship and tradition I deeply value.
It’s important to me that our team knows what MS is and how it affects people’s daily lives. We talk about symptoms and challenges, and how donations help fund research and support programs. Customers see our posters and social posts, but the real connection happens when a team member shares the reason behind the campaign. Some have friends and family living with MS, so it’s personal for them. You can see the heart in their conversations with customers.
Every year, we decorate the restaurant and hold raffles, bake sales, and a spin-the-wheel game to make things even more fun! My team gets really into it, and we even have a friendly competition to see who can collect the most donations.
I always look forward to the amazing sense of togetherness, when our team, customers, and community come together for something that truly matters. The smiles, kindness, and shared hope make it one of my favourite days of the year.”
Music that Makes a Difference
Jess Moskaluke, multi-platinum CCMA and JUNO-award winning Canadian country music artist, partnered with us and A&W for the 17th year of Burgers to Beat MS!
“My dad was one of the 90,000 Canadians living with MS, so my family and I understand the impact the disease can have on individuals living with MS and those around them. I’ve always loved supporting local and partnering with A&W and MS Canada for Burgers to Beat MS allows me to support a well-loved Canadian business while using my platform to raise critical awareness and funds for all Canadians affected by the disease.” - Jess Moskaluke
On August 7, A&W and Jess hosted a free public meet-and-greet in Saskatoon, where the first Burgers to Beat MS Day was held back in 2008! The local community was able to meet Jess, take a selfie, get an autograph, enter to win tickets to her upcoming Saskatoon show, and come together to talk about their own connections to MS.
Global News, Saskatoon stopped by the event to speak with Jess and members of the MS community. Watch here!
Additional interviews featuring Jess:
Additional News Coverage featuring Pamela Valentine, President and CEO, MS Canada, Susan Senecal, President and CEO, A&W Canada, our incredible Ambassadors, and A&W Canada team members:
The Dan MacDonald Show, iHeartRadio
Thank you to everyone who purchased a Teen Burger™, rounded up their bill, donated change at the till, donated online or through A&W’s mobile app, and helped spread awareness this year! Your support goes a long way and helps make life better for the over 90,000 Canadians living with MS.
Every little bit (and bite) counts. Together we can beat MS.
See you for our annual Burgers to Beat MS date next year!
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