The Alzheimer Society for Kenora-Rainy River is asking people to take a step to support those living with dementia.
The annual I-G Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s goes this weekend in Dryden, Fort Frances, Kenora and Atikokan.
Event coordinator Hyacinth Caranguian says it helps raise awareness and funds for the programs and services they provide.
“The IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s is one of the biggest national fundraiser events, supporting people living with dementia and their caregivers right here in our community,” says Caranguian.
“It’s a chance for families, friends, and local businesses to come together, raise awareness, and show support for those affected.”
Events in Dryden, Kenora and Fort Frances will take place on Saturday.
The walk in Dryden is at the Harry McMaster Track at Dryden High School, beginning at 10:30 a.m.
Registration will open at 9:30 a.m., with a warm-up kicking off at 10 a.m.
The Fort Frances event starts at 11:30 a.m. at the Sorting Gap Marina.
Registration will open at 10:30 a.m.
In Kenora, the walk will start at 9 am from the Jarnel Contracting Pavillion.
The walk in Atikokan will take place on Sunday, starting at the Pioneer Centre at 11 a.m. with registration accepted at 10:30 a.m.
Barbeques are planned for events in Fort Frances and Atikokan.
Registration can still be made through the Alzheimer’s website, click here, or on the day of the walk.
A Nova Scotia woman is about to embark on a big mission to honour her little brother who suffers from a devastating neurological disease.
In an interview with our newsroom, Brianna Voss, 27, tells us that 17-year-old Connor has Juvenile Huntington’s disease.
To raise money for the Huntington’s Society of Canada, she will walk 200km in four days from Lower Sackville to Amherst.
“That’s where my brother’s care home is,” explains Voss. “So, initially, my kind of idea was walking from his place to our home in Amherst. Kind of like bringing it home for my family.”
Voss says Huntington’s is often compared to having the same symptoms as ALS, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s all in one.
It’s also heredity and claimed the life of her grandmother, father and aunt.
“[It] runs in our family. It started with my grandmother. She was adopted. So, we don’t really know where it came from before then,” says Voss.
Survivor’s guilt
She says her brother was 13 when he started having symptoms but not fully diagnosed until he was 17 and now lives in a care home.
“He’s kind of heading toward the later stages of the disease. With juvenile, it goes a little bit quicker than regular Huntington’s,” explains Voss.
Voss tested negative. But with that, she says, comes guilt.
“I wish every day I could switch positions with him,” says Voss. ” That’s kind of why I’m doing this walk. I think that if I’m the only able bodied one out of the family, then I guess it’s a little bit my mission to spread awareness.”
Brianna Voss with Mayor Andy Fillmore acknowledge Huntingon’s Disease Awareness month. PHOTO: BRIANNA VOSS FACEBOOK/WITH PERMISSION
Why do the walk now?
May is Huntington’s Disease Awareness Month.
In addition to that, over the past year Voss says, there was a trial in the UK that seemed very successful in slowing down the progress of the disease.
“It felt like the time. There’s a lack of awareness, there’s a lack of funds and there’s a lack of research being done,” explains Voss.
“It just seems like there’s been some pretty big movements around the world and I think they could use support right now.”
Training
The reason the walk is at the end of the month, Voss says, is so she could train for it. And it hasn’t been easy.
“I’ve never walked this much in my life. The hardest part is the actual physical side of walking. The mental part of keeping your brain occupied for hours while you do it,” says Voss.
Even still, she says, it’s kind of nice to get some mental clarity while walking. And while she prepares, the event has already raised thousands of dollars.
Voss says it’s hard to describe how it feels to see the money flow in, now reaching about $14,000.
“I would say it’s a relief but that’s not the right word,” explains Voss. “It feels pretty good.”
“At the end of the day, regardless of the amount we end up raising, we’re spreading so much awareness right now.”
Some of the videos she’s posted online have reached over 2 million views.
Registration is now accepted for this year’s IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s in Fort Frances.
The Alzheimer Society for Kenora-Rainy River’s event will take place on May 30th.
Client Services Coordinator Mary O’Connor says participants get pledges or make a minimum contribution to take part.
“There’ll be prizes for the individual who raises the most money, the top two, and also the group,” says O’Connor.
“If you want to put in a family group in memory of somebody, or if you have a business that you want to put in, that’s fine too. We’ll have one prize for the group and prizes for individuals.”
There will also be two routes for participants.
“The joggers and the ones that are really keen, they will head east and go towards the point,” notes O’Connor.
“The leisurely strollers will come with me, and we will go towards the hospital.”
All participants will return to the Sorting Gap Marina for a barbecue lunch and the presentation of prizes.
All of the money raised goes toward keeping services and programs free for people with dementia and their families.
“We have touch quilts for people that are free with all sorts of buttons and zippers and lace on,” says O’Connor.
“We have the music project where I sit down with families who have a loved one with dementia and get a list of all the music that the person can tell us themselves. We give them headphones and a charger and a list of music.”
Registration is done through the Society’s website, click here, or by contacting O’Connor.
