Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

ALZHEIMER'S WALK

Making Memories Matter: Kamloops Walks for Alzheimer’s

May 6, 2019 | 5:40 PM

KAMLOOPS — Alzheimer’s is a degenerative brain disease and one of the leading causes of dementia. For the past decade and a half, Kamloops has been walking to help raise funds and awareness for the Alzheimer’s Society of BC. On Sunday, the 15th edition of the annual Walk for Alzheimer’s was held at the Tournament Capital Centre.

It’s been a long journey for Bill Blair and his family to this point. They led the procession at Sunday’s IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s as the honouree family, after finding out he had the disease two years ago.

Image Credit: CFJC Today

“It’s quite an event,” Blair said during the Walk. “It’s been quite a trip.”

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The 2018 edition of the Walk raised $90,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society of BC. According to Tara Hildebrand, Support and Education Coordinator for the society, those funds go a long way towards helping families cope with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

“It’s the Alzheimer’s Society of BC’s biggest fundraiser for programs and services,” Hildebrand said. “Those programs and services include support and education… teaching families about the illness and what’s to come.”

IG Wealth Management took over as national sponsor for the Walk this year. BC Interior Regional Manager Chris Nagle says giving back is an essential part of his company’s philosophy.

“For our consultants throughout all of the BC Interior and throughout Kamloops, it’s important that we’re each individually involved in the lives of our clients and the lives of our community,” Nagle explained.

While it’s a massive fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Society and a celebration for many who attend, Hildebrand says the Walk for Alzheimer’s has also become about reducing the stigma surrounding the disease.

Image Credit: CFJC Today

“People are afraid to reach out and afraid to ask for help,” Hildebrand said. “When we have events like this, and you see hundreds of people coming together… it’s about awareness, sustainability, and fundraising.”

For Blair, he’s keeping his sense of humour and taking life one day at a time, while remaining grateful for the support he’s received from the community.

“I just want to thank those in the community who are out there,” Blair said. “Not just Alzheimer’s. Anyone with an illness. If you get out and help them, it’s great.”