Two decades after she lost her father to Alzheimer’s disease, Sharon Dawson says people aren't as afraid to ask for help as they used to be.
Dawson joined more than a hundred people at the Thunder Bay Alzheimer’s Society Walk for Memories event at the Intercity Shopping Centre on Sunday. She has participated in the society’s fundraising for the past 10 years. She started volunteering with the society in honour of her dad, John Arnold. He passed away 20 years ago after doctors diagnosed him with Alzheimer’s.
He was 64 years old.
Dawson said when her father was diagnosed the disease was considered new and the Alzheimer’s Society was still in its infancy. She said there was a lot of stigma around the disease and people were unsure how to react around those who had Alzheimer’s.
“People would turn away, they didn’t know what to say or how to help,” she said. “I think with the awareness now that the society has brought forward that stigma is reducing. People are becoming more open to the idea of being diagnosed. People aren’t afraid to reach out for help. The most important thing people can do is reach out to a family.”
Dawson said she felt robbed because her children wouldn’t have a grandfather to play with. It’s important to know that life can go on even after being diagnosed, she said.
By the end of the day, the walk raised more than $42,000. Alison Denton, executive director of the Thunder Bay Alzheimer’s Society, said they were pleased by the amount raised and felt confident that they would meet their goal of $50,000.
Earlier in the morning, Denton said she expected about 200 people to come to the event, which was about the same as last year.
“This is our biggest fundraiser of the year,” Denton said. “We start things off in January with an awareness month and then we cut things off at the first weekend in February. The $50,000 will stay here in Thunder Bay to support services and education provided to people who have dementia living in the district of Thunder Bay.”
Follow Jeff Labine on Twitter @Labine_reporter
