Bjorn Formosa, the founder of charity organisation ALS Foundation, was on Friday named this year’s Laureate of the European Citizen’s Prize for Malta.
Mr Formosa was nominated for the award, handed out to some 50 citizens and organisations across Europe annually, by Labour MEPs Marlene Mizzi and Miriam Dalli, and received the joint backing of Nationalist MEPs David Casa, Roberta Metsola, and Francis Zammit Dimech.
“Bjorn has shown what true selflessness, civic sense, generosity and altruism really mean. He is an inspiration to us all and is turning his pain and suffering into an opportunity to help others. Bjorn definitely deserves to be honoured with the European Citizen’s Prize.” Ms Mizzi said.
On accepting the award, Mr Formosa said he felt this was recognition for the work he and some many others had been doing together.
"This is not my award but is for all those who I have been working with," he said.
Mr Formosa made national headlines when he donated €100,000 on live television to fund research into the degenerative disease that afflicts him.
And, with his wife’s help drummed up the funds to build Dar Bjorn, a care home for people living with ALS and other motor-neuron conditions.
ALS is a degenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. As the disease progresses, the body’s motor neurones stop sending signals to the muscles until the muscles start to die, eventually leading to paralysis. There is no known cure.
The disease's paralysing effect means homes for ALS patients must be specially equipped to allow residents to control every aspect of daily life using just their eyes. Anything from lifts, doors, computers and television must be adapted.
Mr Formosa is now raising funds for another centre which he said would be bigger to cater for the growing demand.
Dr Dalli said Mr Formosa had turned his difficult situation into something positive.
“Through funds dedicated for more research on ALS and funds dedicated to a residential home for ALS patients, Bjorn has managed to truly make a difference in the lives of ALS sufferers and their relatives,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of the PN MEP group, Dr Metsola said it was their duty - as members of the European Parliament - to promote the invaluable work done by thousands of Maltese and Gozitan volunteers.
“We are delighted that Bjorn won this award as his hard work in the past years, even whilst struggling with such a difficult illness. He is an example to us all,” she said.