Thank You for Your Support
On October 11, we are walking in support of increased funding for research and support for those who are impacted by Alzheimer’s or forms of Dementia. Our inspiration for being a part of spreading awareness and advocating for more research is my grandmother who has been impacted well before her own diagnosis of dementia related issues, when her mother also struggled with Alzheimer’s. This disease impacts my family deeply, and daily.
In Canada, there are approximately 750,000 people with Alzheimer’s disease, or another form of Dementia; nearly 500,000 of these people are women.
The research isn’t keeping up. There’s an estimate by Alzheimer’s Canada that suggests by 2030, nearly 1 million people in Canada will be living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. Gabor Matè states that “Alzheimer’s is a complex disorder to which many factors contribute, including genetics, diet, and cardiovascular health. Inflammatory processes and the immune system both heavily affected by chronic emotional stress, are also implicated”. I can’t help but to notice the correlation between demanding caregiving needs, that women are more likely to take on resulting in increased potential for chronic stress, and high diagnosis rates.
I know myself and my family aren’t nearly alone in understanding what that might be like to love someone with Alzheimer’s, or to carry fear around the genetic aspect of the disease. So I please ask for your support in any way you see fit. Talk to your friends and family about this disease, be kind to folks in public and look out for vulnerable people, research the statistics, volunteer in a seniors home, take care of your caregivers, come join us and run / walk with us, donate your time and volunteer for the walk, or donate a dollar.
