Photo courtesy of Alzheimer's Society of Saskatchewan.
With over 20,000 people in the province affected by Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia, the disorder cuts a powerful swath.
On Saturday, May 24, Saskatchewan residents have an opportunity to fight back in a big way by joining the IG Wealth Management Annual Walk for Alzheimer’s. The fundraising walks take place in Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Regina, Swift Current and Moosomin. The Walk is a Canada-wide effort with events taking place in over 150 communities. It is the largest and only nationwide fundraising effort for Alzheimer's Disease, hosted in this province by the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan.
“Saskatoon’s event on May 24 will take place at River Landing Amphitheatre,” says Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan Revenue Development Coordinator Becky Quist. “The walks have two different routes that go along the river. One is short and returns on site.”
There will be onsite activities for those who want to attend but who may be unable to go on the walk. In Saskatoon, registration starts at 12 noon including a brief ceremony, and the walk itself begins at 1:00 pm. That format follows for most of the walk locations.
For people who can’t make it to any of the Saskatchewan walk sites on May 24, there is still a way to participate, says Quist.
“We always want to encourage people to participate no matter where they are in the province. One of the options is through “Walk Your Way.” We encourage people to sign up as “Walk Your Way” participants on our website through the dropdown menu. You can fundraise with your family, have a bake sale, go on a bike ride – whatever suits your fancy. You can raise money in a way that means something to you, and it will go to the fundraised total across the province.”
The money raised goes to help programs and services from the Alzheimer’s Society, like front line coordinators, information sessions, research and prevention initiatives, and supports for individuals across the province.
Quist says the registration numbers are climbing; in Saskatoon, 28 teams are already registered with $41,000 already committed in Saskatoon alone on their way to a goal of $85,000.
It doesn’t matter how or where you participate; you’re invited to join in the spirit and join in the fight with the Walk for Alzheimer's on Saturday, May 24. To register or get more information, head to walkforalzheimers.ca.
