This Sunday, May 31, at 9 a.m. PDT, provinces around Canada will unite for the first IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s online to show their support for people affected by dementia.
Hosted by CTV News’ Marcia MacMillan, the cross-country event will encourage British Columbians to walk their way to honour and remember people in their lives who have been affected by the disease.
“While the event looks different this year, we are so grateful for the people who are committing to move in different ways to support people living with dementia,” says Maria Howard, CEO of the Alzheimer Society of B.C. “It’s not too late to join them by registering for the Walk and asking your friends and family for a donation in return for completing a physical challenge. The funds raised will help us to continue offering crucial support and education services to British Columbians on the dementia journey.”
The online event, a first for Alzheimer Societies across Canada, is a cross-country collaboration and has embraced our new normal of distancing – some footage will even be shot on smartphones.
“This Sunday’s event really shows that no matter what the world looks like, there is always a way we can come together and show that we stand united to support people affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias,” added Howard.
The livestream will feature a performance by the award-winning Newfoundland-based band the Ennis Sisters, written in honour of their father who lived with dementia. It will also feature people across the country who are affected by dementia talking about who they are walking for.
British Columbians can register for the event at walkforalzheimers.ca. There, they can create an online fundraising page to let their friends and family know why they are participating and ask for donations. They can either complete their fundraising challenge before the event or during the livestream. The livestream can be accessed at 9 a.m. PDT on Sunday from the Alzheimer Society of B.C.’s Facebook page (facebook.com/AlzheimerBC) or walkforalzheimers.ca. Donation lines (1-855-543-9913) will also be open between 8:30 and 11 a.m. PDT on Sunday.
