THUNDER BAY – More than 2,800 people in Thunder Bay are living with Alzheimer’s disease or some other form of dementia.
Melissa Irvine’s grandmother, Joyce Turk, is one.
Growing up, her grandmother would welcome family members at any hour of the day, her pantry always stocked with the best kind of cookies and snacks to the delight of young and old.
Decades later, things have changed.
Afflicted with dementia, Joyce Turk struggles with names and memories as the disease takes hold.
On Saturday her family joined about 300 other people at Marina Park to take part in the annual Walk for Alzheimer’s, which last year raised more than $65,000.
“We came together today to walk for someone we love dearly,” Irvine said. “She isn’t the only one affected by this horrible, demeaning, degrading and fatal disease that eventually affects all aspects of a person’s life, how they think, feel and act.
Pam Gerrie, the interim manager and programs and services co-ordinator of the Alzheimer’s Society of Thunder Bay, says the money raised is used to help people who live in Thunder Bay, and their loved ones, cope with living with dementia.
“All of the money stays local here in Thunder Bay and helps support our programs and services for families to receive some support, for counselling and for our support groups,” Gerrie said. “It is our largest fundraiser of the year.”
Dementia casts a wide net, said Jaclyn Woods, the marketing and events co-ordinator for the Alzheimer’s society.
It’s why the three-kilometre walk has not only survived, but thrived, over the past 24 years.
“Dementia not only affects the people living with dementia and their family, it affects the community. We have whole families here, whether their young or older. We have co-workers, businesses and community groups,” Woods said.
“It’s really a community effort. We’ve always had great support from the community. Last year was our biggest event.”
Currently there is no cure or effective treatment to delay or stop Alzheimer’s disease.
