Get ready to take part in a fundraiser for a great cause.
Sunday, May 26, is the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s, which is one of the Alzheimer Society of B.C.’s largest fundraisers of the year. The purpose of the walk is to educate people about the disease. All funds raised from the walk will go towards essential programs and will ensure those who suffer from the disease will have care and won’t be alone.
Kelowna’s event is one of more than 20 that will be taking place across the province.
“Receiving a dementia diagnosis can either come as a shock or a relief – or anything in between for the thousands of people who develop the disease each year in B.C. and the supports they each need are just as individual as they are,” said Alzheimer Society of B.C support and education coordinator Andrea Campbell. “Every day we see firsthand how different resources we provide empower people to face the challenges of dementia and live well at different stages in the journey. The walk is an opportunity for everyone to take part in providing essential support and feel the power of walking alongside neighbours and friends on the dementia journey.”
At each event, there will be one honouree from the town or city who suffers from the disease. This year in Kelowna, it’s Valorie Mann, who’s one of more than 85,000 people in the province who live with dementia.
“Mom was an honest, loving, dedicated wife, mother and grandmother,” said Laurie, one of Valorie’s five children. “She has always been very accepting of everyone for who they are and supportive of the choices they made in life.”
Valorie is now in a long-term care home, where her children often visit her. The five of them also regularly attend Minds in Motion, a fitness and social program for people living with dementia and care partners put on by the Alzheimer Society of B.C.
“We’re super proud of her resilience and how she’s coping with her world imploding this last year,” added Laurie. “She went from living with our father independently to losing him, her home and everything in it. Now she’s realizing she’s losing her memory and she still shows up positive and lovely, and thankful for the people who help her. I’m just so proud of her strength and her resilience.”
Registration for the walk starts at 12 p.m. on May 26 at Kelowna’s City Park located at 1600 Abbott Street. The walk will take place from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information, visit the Alzheimer Society of B.C. website or send an e-mail to gbird@alzheimerbc.org.
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