Trends columnist walks for her father
This year, I am walking again in the Walk for Alzheimer’s in honour of my father. He had dementia. Fourteen years ago, my father and I met with his doctor. He was asked to relinquish his driver’s license, which he held for over 60 years. My father’s eyes locked with mine as he handed it over to his doctor. As his daughter, it was hard to watch. I will not forget this heartbreaking moment. I knew that he knew this step had to be taken, for his personal safety and the safety of others. As I drove him home in the late afternoon, we were both quiet in the car.
An estimated 70,000 British Columbians currently live with dementia, and this number is expected to more than double in the next 20 years
The IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s is the Alzheimer Society of B.C.’s flagship fundraiser. It takes place throughout May. The Walk is a way British Columbians can celebrate and remember people in their lives who have been affected by dementia, while they raise valuable funds and awareness to create change in their communities.
Dementia doesn’t stop and neither does the Alzheimer Society of B.C. While unable to meet in person in 2021, participants can pick a time and place to walk their own way throughout the month, before joining together online for a celebration on Sunday, May 30.
The Society encourages all participants to adhere to current public health guidelines and only walk only with their bubble.
Funds raised will go towards local support and learning opportunities for people living with dementia and their families, as well as enabling research into the causes of and cure for the disease.
Each Walk in British Columbia is dedicated to an honouree – a person who has lived with dementia, or a person or group of people who have invaluably contributed to the lives of those affected by the disease. Participants are also encouraged to walk in honour of someone in their lives who has been affected by dementia. Who will you walk for?
You can register for the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s by visiting walkforalzheimers.ca.
New Online Auction – Runs till noon on May 31. To check out all the items and make a bid, visit http://www.alzgiving.ca/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=3345
Proceeds raised will support people affected by dementia. For more information about dementia, please visit www.alzheimerbc.org or call the First Link® Dementia Helpline, available in English Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (1-800-936-6033), and available Monday to Friday 8 a.m to 4 p.m. in Cantonese and Mandarin (1-833-5007) or Punjabi (1-833-647-5003).
