Burnaby/New West walk for Alzheimer’s returns to in-person event

Alzheimer’s still desperately needs a cure, and on May 29, more than 20 communities in B.C. will be walking in the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s to raise both awareness and funds for the disease.

“There’s still a lot of stigma around Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias,” explains Rebecca Frederick, who is part of a team of volunteers that are putting the walk together. “There is research going on at essentially every university across the world, so we remain hopeful and know that this fundraising goes towards finding the cause, and a cure.”

According to the Alzheimer Society of B.C., about two in three people know someone who is living with or who has lived with dementia. The City of New Westminster has a dementia-friendly community action plan in place. The latest stats from the city – which were compiled in a 2016 report – estimate more than 900 people in the city live with the disease.

“If people are facing this disease in their own families, they should know support is available. You can connect with the first-link dementia helpline, then they can connect with educational resources and other things that can help them and their family members’ lives.”

Frederick says there will also be options for those who are not comfortable to walk in-person. “We have the ‘Walk Your Way’ program where people can sign up to do their own route, and we also have the ‘Walk in a Box’ program – that’s a DIY walk.”

For the latter, Frederick says a kit will be sent to participants so that they can start off on the right foot.

If you’re able to make it out to the event on Sunday, May 29, Frederick says they’d love to see you. This year’s honourees are a couple from Burnaby, Lester and Cindy Geirach. Three years ago – and on Valentine’s Day – Lester was given an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

“This can be a really isolating disease for many people and many families,” explains Frederick. “When we have an opportunity to have our local honourees share their stories and share a bit about what it’s like to live with dementia, I think we can really reduce that stigma, and show there is still life after diagnosis.”

All you need to know about the walk:

• When: Sunday, May 29, 2022

• Where: Burnaby Lake East - Fields and Rugby Clubhouse, 3760 Sperling Ave., Burnaby

• Registration time: 10 a.m. – walk goes from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Further questions: reach out to [email protected]