Editor:
On behalf of the Alzheimer Society of BC, thanks to the people of White Rock, North Delta and Surrey for participating in the 2021 IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s.
They joined thousands of people in communities across the province and walked their own way in May to show their support for people affected by dementia. Participants showed tremendous creativity while raising funds to support the Alzheimer Society of BC. They walked, hiked, cycled, danced and more.
Then on Sunday, May 30, they joined us online to celebrate a month of activity and hear stories from people who are affected by dementia across Canada.
In White Rock, North Delta and Surrey, participants raised more than $26,000 in online donations for the walk. These funds will support education sessions, support groups and our First Link Dementia Helpline. They will also allow us to continue to expand digital support, as well as enabling research into the causes and cure for the disease.
The pandemic has highlighted the isolation faced by people living with dementia. However, through the walk, participants showed that they are deeply committed to supporting their fellow community members facing the disease regardless of not being able to gather in-person for the event. Thank you for coming together to make memories matter.
Thanks, also, to the White Rock, North Delta and Surrey volunteer organizing committee, led by Tasia Karasick: they were instrumental to garnering local support and awareness for this event.
I would also like to thank the local honouree, Marnie Allard, for being so gracious in sharing her story to help raise awareness.
The event also had incredible support from sponsors and donors. I’d like to thank our title sponsor, IG Wealth Management, and our provincial sponsor, Cowell Auto Group, for their unwavering continued support and commitment to people affected by dementia.
While we may not be able to be together in-person with our community members just yet, thanks to the generosity of our participants, donors, volunteers, honouree families, sponsors and patrons, we will continue to work to ensure people affected by dementia know they are not alone.
Donations are open until June 30, 2021 at walkforalzheimers.ca. You can also watch the event’s recorded celebration on our Facebook page (@AlzheimerBC).
Cathryn France, Director, Resource Development, Alzheimer Society of BC