A&W and MS Canada Celebrate Outstanding Generosity from Canadians with $1.56 Million Raised from Burgers to Beat MS.

Funds raised through Burgers to Beat MS to support Canadians affected by MS have now reached close to $25 million to date.

VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 1, 2026 /CNW/ -- A&W Canada is proud to announce another successful year for its annual Burgers to Beat MS fundraiser. Thanks to our dedicated franchisees and the extraordinary generosity of Canadians nationwide, this year's initiative raised $1.56 million.

Celebrating 18 years of partnership, A&W Canada and MS Canada have now raised nearly $25 million in providing crucial support to Canadians affected by MS. Burgers to Beat MS remains MS Canada's largest annual corporate fundraiser, helping to fund support programs and MS research that brings us one step closer to a world free of MS.

Canada has one of the highest rates of MS in the world, with approximately 12 people diagnosed every day. Funds raised go a long way towards improving the lives of Canadians affected by MS through support programs and MS research focused on understanding the disease, halting its progression, developing new treatments, and early detection aimed at preventing MS for future generations.

"At its heart, Burgers to Beat MS is all about Canadians helping Canadians," says Susan Senecal, President and CEO of A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. "Every year, Burgers to Beat MS shows us how much good we can achieve when we gather together as a community. Thank you to every Canadian who joined us, our incredible franchisees, team members and our guests who helped turn a simple burger run into a meaningful impact."

"MS affects all of us. Every two hours, someone in Canada is diagnosed. That is why partnerships like Burgers to Beat MS are so important. We bring Canadians together from coast to coast, rallying for one another, uplifting the voices of the MS community, and raising funds that support vital programming and groundbreaking MS research," says Dr. Pamela Valentine, President and CEO of MS Canada. "We are deeply grateful to A&W Canada, its franchisees, team members, and the millions of Canadians who have supported this fundraiser over the past 18 years. Together, we are moving closer to a world free of MS."

Kristen Campbell Rallying Canadians Together

This year, A&W Canada was joined by Olympic gold medalist and PWHL Vancouver Goldeneyes goaltender Kristen Campbell, an official spokesperson for Burgers to Beat MS. Kristen, for the first time, shared her mother Janet Campbell's story of living with MS for 27 years and fighting invisible symptoms while always showing up for Kristen for every pivotal moment in her hockey career.

"Becoming a Burgers to Beat MS spokesperson was my way of lending a voice to the MS community and raising vital funds and awareness for a cause so close to Canadian hearts," says Kristen Campbell. "I'm truly blown away by how Canadians showed up with so much love and support. It is inspiring to see Canadians come together to rally behind a cause that means so much to countless families."

While Kristen shared her story on a national stage, her impact was felt across Canada. On August 20th, local aspiring girl hockey players from Kristen's Elite Goaltending Hockey Camps gathered at neighbourhood A&Ws to cheer on their hero by eating a Teen Burger, while her parents also celebrated alongside family and friends at their local Brandon, Manitoba A&W Restaurant.

For more information about Burgers to Beat MS and how you can support MS Canada, visit mscanada.ca.

About A&W Canada

A&W is proud to be a Canadian company–100% Canadian owned and operated, and one of the most trusted brands in the country. We believe in continuously taking small, simple actions for the good of people and the planet. From serving 100% grass-fed beef, to offering reusables, and fundraising in support of Canadians living with multiple sclerosis, we strive to make a positive impact in all the communities we operate in across Canada. Home of Canada's Best-Tasting Burgers, we serve Canadians coast to coast with over 1,100 restaurants across the country. For more information, please visit aw.ca.

About MS Canada 

At MS Canada, we are inspired by the vision of a world free of multiple sclerosis. We focus on support, advocacy and research that will positively impact the lives of people living with and affected by MS. For over 75 years, we have been a trusted connection for the MS community to valuable resources and programs needed on their unique MS journey. We advocate for policy change that removes barriers and improves the well-being of persons affected by MS in Canada. We invest in life-changing research that will advance treatment and care, enhance well-being, help to understand and halt disease progression, and ultimately prevent MS. For more information, visit mscanada.ca.

SOURCE A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. (marketing & PR)

For media inquiries: Jacky Le, [email protected], Rethink Communications LP