May is just around the corner and, for Ernie Oliver, recognized as a ‘Legacy Walker’, it’s a month that keeps on giving as he fundraises for Alzheimer’s.
May is a month of memories for Oliver as he celebrates his birthday on May 9th and secondly, it is the anniversary of his mother’s death.
“My mother, Stella died of Alzheimer’s,” says Oliver, “so each May, I walk to fundraise for the Grey Bruce Alzheimer’s Society because all the money stays local to help families get the helps they need from the Alzheimer Society.”
Every year, a family can be touched by dementia or Alzheimer’s. While it is often thought of as an ‘old’ person’s disease, it has been proven that is not the case as it can also strike those who are in their middle years.
Losing someone into the abyss of what becomes complete memory loss is painful for the family as they see their loved one lose recognition of those they once held dear.
Dementia is the health crisis of our time as over 650,000 Canadians currently live with the disease and, by 2030, it is expected that almost one million Canadians will be diagnosed with dementia. Today, one in five Canadians have experienced caring for someone living with dementia.
“This year I’ll be walking not only for my mom, but also several relatives who have since passed away,” adds Oliver.
Oliver, who works at Mowbray’s Canadian Tire in Port Elgin, has already started collecting funds. “It’s only April but I like to get a head-start. I know it’s a tough year for everyone but it’s especially tough for those families who have loved ones with this disease.”
Oliver puts fundraising on a personal level but reminds everyone they can also donate on-line at www.walkforalzheimers.ca or for more information, event@alzheimergreybruce.com