Alzheimer Society of B.C. will reactivate a dormant fundraiser next week in Nanaimo.
While the society held events virtually the past two years due to COVID-19 restrictions, the upcoming Walk for Alzheimer’s will take place live at Nanaimo Yacht Club from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, May 29. The event raises money for supports and services for those affected by dementia, said Jane Hope, society support and education coordinator in Nanaimo, and programming and services are needed regardless if there is a pandemic or not.
“There is absolutely always a need for support services for people who are impacted by dementia, whether it is the caregivers or the people themselves who are living with it and during COVID-19, there was a lot of extra stress brought on by the fact that we were in lockdown, so there was a lot more isolation than there normally is and so, I think that really impacted people,” said Hope.
While many “tuned in” to the virtual events, and the fundraising efforts were successful given the situation, Hope said the society is happy for resumption of an in-person walk. The society has its eyes set on raising $20,000 in Nanaimo, with a provincial goal of $765,000.
Registration begins at 10 a.m. and participants will walk along Nanaimo’s waterfront.
“People can walk as much as they want,” said Hope. “We are very aware of the population that we serve, so we like to make it as easy a walk as possible, with the opportunity for somebody that wants to go for a really long walk.”
Donations made online until May 29 will be matched by The Lecky Foundation up to a total of $35,000.
For more information, or to donate, go to www.alzheimer.ca/bc/en. For more information on the Nanaimo resource centre, go to https://alzheimer.ca/bc/en/node/392.
RELATED: Nanaimo Alzheimer society re-opens for in-person sessions
reporter@nanaimobulletin.com
Like us on Facebook and follow Karl on Twitter and Instagram