Walk supports dementia research
Selkirk and area residents will have the chance to walk, run, stroll, or wheel their way in support of those living with dementia and their families at the upcoming IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s 2025. The walk will be taking place on June 5 at the Gordon Howard Centre.
“The Walk for Alzheimer’s is an annual event. It’s our biggest fundraiser of the year, and it takes place all over Manitoba,” said Samantha Holland, Selkirk’s First Link Regional Team Lead, for the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, “We’ve been running this event for a number of years, and each year it gets a little bit bigger and a has more community involvement. Really it’s just a time to come together in a sea of blue and walk to raise awareness and to remind those that are impacted that they’re not alone in this.”
This walk is a really wonderful one to attend to support a great cause and walk a really beautiful local route.
“This year in particular, we’re going to have a barbecue to kick us off. Check-in starts around 5:30 p.m. at the Gordon Howard Centre. You’ll get a t-shirt if you’ve raised $100. We have a sign making station. You can enjoy the barbecue and some entertainment. Then, we have a warm-up, and it’s off we go. We walked, last year, down to the Marine Museum, and I anticipate our route will be similar (this year),” said Holland.
Residents should know that this area is a pretty good one to accommodate as many people as possible who want to participate. With the city recently having paved the way, the route is stroller and wheelchair friendly and there is a turn around point for people who think the entirety of the journey might be a bit too much. The walk itself will take about a half hour.
Holland invites everyone and anyone in the area to take part.
“If you are someone who has cared for someone living with dementia, or just know of someone, if you are someone experiencing changes, or just someone from the community that wants to show their support, bring your kids, bring your dogs, bring your grandparents, whoever, we want to see everyone come out and enjoy and show their support,” she said.
Registration for this event is online and in person.
“You can register online on our website at alzheimer.mb.ca. We will also have registration forms available at the Gordon Howard, if technology is an issue, and you’d rather just take pen to paper and fill it out that way, that is an option,” said Holland.
She explained that it’s really important that we get out and walk and make a visible effort to support those in our community with dementia.
“It’s the energy it creates, especially in smaller communities like Selkirk and like those outside of Winnipeg. It’s just a really good reminder for individuals and families that there’s still participation in the community and there’s a lot of support behind something that can be very scary. Dementia is largely an invisible disease. It’s not something that we can necessarily see, so, to have (it recognized) in such a visible way is a really powerful event, and people really look forward to it year after year,” said Holland.
She encourages residents to dress appropriately for the weather and head out to support this great event.
“This is an event for everyone. So, whether you’re five years old or 85 years old, there’s something for you. It’s really a celebration more than anything, that we have support in the community, and all of the funds raised go right back into our programs and services,” said Holland.
To register and learn more about this event visit: secure.alzheimer.mb.ca.
