P.A. Alzheimer’s Society raises funds at annual event

She said she expected around 35 to 40 people taking part in the walk.

“In Alzheimer’s in Saskatchewan there’s 20,000 people who have a diagnosis and the thinking is there is probably half that many that don’t have a diagnosis,” she said. “That’s a lot people, so of course everyone’s impacted by it.”

She said the money raised goes to Regina where it is then divided up to where it needs to go. The money is used for programs and services such the Alzheimer’s Society’s “minds in motion.” The program offers physical and social activity in a relaxed atmosphere. It could also be used for the caregiver’s support group held in P.A., as well as for the public presentations that happen around Alzheimer’s.

She added it is important to have this event every year to raise awareness.

“It’s a way to get people talking about Alzheimer’s and early dementia,” she said. “It’s a way for people to honour those that have the disease and for people who are coming behind them that have the disease.”

People who participated in the walk were given a sign on which to write the name of who they were walking for. She added they hope to destigmatize discussions around the disease.

“I think what’s most important is we need to really look at how this disease is growing and what we as a society can do to help those experiencing it,” she added.

Participants walked on the indoor track at the Alfred Jenkins Field House on Saturday. (Ian Gustafson/paNOW Staff)

Owner of the local Canadian Tire, Malcolm Jenkins was among the walkers and pledged to match each donation.

He said the reason why the Alzheimer walk is important to him is because he lost his mother 18 years ago to the disease. She was in the care home for two years before she passed away. He also lost his sister to Alzheimer’s last year.

“Being distant out here in P.A. they’re both in Ontario I would get there as often as I could,” he said. “To see the deterioration is pretty sad. They still recognized me towards the end, but it got tougher and tougher.”

He added it’s a horrible thing to see people go through and explained it is tough for the people surrounding them.

Jenkins said his experiences are why he decided to match all of the donations.

“We do a few things in the community and this is one we hadn’t done before. I saw the announcement in the paper that the Alzheimer’s walk was on and what could be nearer to me than one that’s taken two close members from my immediate family?”

Editor’s note: this story was amended to reflect the event happened on Sunday, not on Saturday as initially reported.

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ian.gustafson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @iangustafson12

by Ian Gustafson

P.A. Alzheimer’s Society raises funds at annual event

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