Editor,
On behalf of the Alzheimer Society of B.C., I would like to extend my gratitude to the Burnaby and New Westminster community for participating in the 2022 IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s.
After a two-year hiatus on in-person events, participants came together and walked again in person on May 29 in honour of people affected by dementia. Burnaby and New Westminster residents garnered the support of family and friends to raise over $45,000, contributing to over $1 million raised across the province.
These instrumental funds will help the Alzheimer Society of B.C. deliver local programs and services, including education sessions, support groups and our First Link Dementia Helpline, as well as support research into the causes and cures for dementia.
While the pandemic heightened the isolation faced by people living with dementia, the 2022 IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s demonstrates that Burnaby and New Westminster residents are dedicated to supporting their fellow community members facing the disease. Thank you!
Thank you as well to Burnaby and New Westminster’s honourees, Lester and Cindy Gierach, who graciously shared their story to help reduce stigma associated with the disease and let others on the dementia journey know they are not alone.
From behind the scenes, this event is planned, organized and executed by a dedicated volunteer committee made up of members from the community. Thank you to the Burnaby and New Westminster committee, led by Sue Sami and Cathy Lin, who works so hard to make this event possible.
Thanks to the various sponsors and donors who lent their support, including the tremendous support the local offices and staff of our national title sponsor IG Wealth Management provided for this event. Thank you as well to the provincial Walk Patron, the Lecky Foundation, for their support.
Thanks to the generosity and support of our participants, donors, volunteers, honouree families, sponsors and patrons, we will continue to ensure people affected by dementia are not alone.
If you are interested in helping us build on the incredible success of this year’s event, we are currently recruiting volunteers to organize and implement the 2023 IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s. To learn more or apply for a volunteer role, visit alzbc.org/walk or contact Matt Brooks at mbrooks@alzheimerbc.org or 604-681-6530.
For questions about memory loss or dementia, call the First Link Dementia Helpline:
English: 1-800-936-6033 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
Cantonese and Mandarin: 1-833-674-5007 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Punjabi: 1-833-674-5003 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Cathryn France
Director, Resource Development, Alzheimer Society of B.C.
