Letter: Nelson Walk for Alzheimer’s raises $7,800
By Letters to the editor
To The Editor:
A recent Leger poll showed dementia is a wide-spread personal concern in B.C., ranking among the top four perceived health problems – behind cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Sixty per cent of British Columbians asked expressing worry about personally developing it.
On May 26, communities across the province gathered to break down the fear and stigma associated with dementia at the 2024 IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s, presented by Go Auto, while helping make the Alzheimer Society of B.C.’s essential supports for people facing the disease possible.
The Nelson community joined us on our mission to show people affected by dementia they’re not alone. Walk participants here rallied their family and friends to raise more than $7,800. With online donations being accepted until June 30, 2024, we expect these amount will increase.
Funds raised are instrumental in supporting the Alzheimer Society of B.C.’s programs and services, including the First Link® Dementia Helpline, online and in-person education, social and fitness programming, as well as supports for equity-deserving communities. Funds also enable research to change the future of dementia for the more than 85,000 people living with the disease in the province, including more than 1,000 people in the Kootenay Boundary region.
The Walk participants here came out to show their support for people affected by dementia. Our incredible honouree, Linda Clark, shared her story to help reduce stigma and let others on the dementia journey know they are not alone. We are inspired by her courage.
Behind the scenes, the event was planned, organized and executed by a dedicated volunteer committee made up of local residents. The hard-working volunteers were led by Emily Tucker
Our sponsors and donors again lent their support, including the local offices and staff of our national title sponsor, IG Wealth Management. As well, provincial Walk patrons Aune Foundation, Cowell Foundation and Lecky Foundation matched donations and inspired us all to give!
The generosity of our participants, donors, volunteers, honouree families, sponsors and patrons allows us to continue replacing fear with education and ensuring people affected by dementia are not alone on the journey.
If you were unable to donate in support of the Walk prior to event day and would like to contribute, please visit alzbc.org/walk or contact 1-604-681-6530 before the end of June. If you are interested in helping us build on the success of this year’s event, we are currently recruiting volunteers to organize and implement the 2025 IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s, presented by Go Auto. To learn more or apply for a volunteer role, contact Nick Dunn at ndunn@alzheimerbc.org or 1-604-681-6530.
For questions about memory loss or dementia, call the First Link® Dementia Helpline at 1-800-936-6033 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.).
Cathryn France, Chief Development Officer, Alzheimer Society of B.C.
