Get inspired and help raise support for families living with dementia!

At the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer's, we are all walking to support the nearly 20,000 people living with dementia in Manitoba and their families but for most, they are walking for a family member or friend affected by the disease. Below are just some of the inspiring stories by Manitobans for Manitobans to help inspire others to take part in this wonderful event.

Coming Together to Show We Care

The IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s is a special day for Laura Bishop. Not only is it the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, an organization she’s been volunteering with for many years, but it’s also an opportunity to come together with her colleagues and show support for families living with dementia across the province.

“I love the feeling I get from the Walk, the atmosphere is electric,” says Laura. “There are tears, laughter and open conversations about dementia, which helps us all connect on a more personal level.”

Laura is an Executive Consultant at IG Wealth Management and has been a Walk Champion for over six years. She’s also had the exciting role of Ribbon Cutter for the past three years, kicking off the Winnipeg Walk for cheering participants.

Last year, over 100 teams participated in the Winnipeg Walk with more than 1,000 people coming together to show they care. This includes many corporate teams from local businesses like Laura’s. “Being a part of the day with colleagues is a fantastic team-building opportunity while giving back to the community. Every company or organization should get involved in events like this to help make a difference.”

Right now in Manitoba, around nine people a day are newly diagnosed with dementia. These are our family members, friends, colleagues and neighbours. The IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s is a chance for everyone to feel that support and know they are not alone.

A dementia diagnosis isn’t easy and as the numbers continue to rise, it’s more important than ever to have easy access to support, resources and information. The Walk raises awareness and funding so the Alzheimer Society can continue to provide these services to families navigating the complexity of a dementia diagnosis.

“Attending the Walk has helped me fully understand how widespread dementia is and how many people are impacted by it – including many people I work with,” says Laura. “It’s made me even more passionate about supporting the Alzheimer Society so families can keep getting the resources they need.”

Laura invites all Manitobans to participate in the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s this spring and for those in the Winnipeg area to join her and the rest of her IG Wealth Management team at Assiniboine Park on Saturday, May 25th.

Let’s make this the biggest Walk yet!

Making a Difference Through Steps & Stitches

Seeing friends, neighbours and community members come together through support and compassion is one of the reasons Donna Mostowy joins the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s every year. 

Donna first participated in the Walk when she worked as a psychiatric nurse at Selkirk Mental Health Centre. The Centre hosted Walks on its grounds each spring in support of the Alzheimer Society, which Donna says were a big hit with everyone at the facility. 

Now retired, Donna participates in the Alzheimer Society’s Selkirk Walk. Every year, she holds up a sign that says: I’m Walking for… all of us.

“Back in my days as a psychiatric nurse, I got to know many families living with dementia and understand the challenges they face,” says Donna. “So supporting the Alzheimer Society is something I’ve held close to my heart for many years.”

Having seen the variety of ways dementia can impact families, Donna is passionate about raising awareness and funds for everyone affected by the disease, and her community supports her right back.

Donna is a member of a quilting group called the Riverside Quilters, who always sponsor her in the Walk. The group gathers at the Gordon Howard Centre in Selkirk every week the same building that houses the Alzheimer Society’s Interlake/Eastern office. Sharing this space helped Donna become more familiar with the Society’s programs and their annual Selkirk Walk.

Donna isn’t alone in her passion for helping the dementia community. This past year, the Riverside Quilters made over 100 touch quilts for the Alzheimer Society to donate to people living in personal care homes.

“Dementia can affect anyone, no family is exempt,” Donna says. “The more support we can provide, the greater opportunity there is for resources and for research to hopefully one day discover improved treatments, or even bring a cure.”

Aside from raising awareness and funds to support families living with dementia, the Walk is a great way to get outside and meet some friendly faces. “It’s wonderful to see the response from the community as we walk with our banner and signs,” Donna says. “People wave or honk their horns it’s amazing to feel that support.”

 Over 30 Years Walking for Dementia

This year marks the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba’s 40th anniversary and a long, rich history of dementia support across the province, including the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s.

Starting as the Memory Walk in 1993, the Walk is the Society’s largest annual fundraiser. It’s also a favourite way for many Manitobans to get out into the community to show support for people living with dementia, their care partners, families and friends.

Karen Braun has been supporting the Alzheimer Society for over 30 years, which became important for her after her grandmother, Susanna Friesen, passed away from Alzheimer’s disease in 1989. She joined Winkler’s first Memory Walk a few years later, and by 1996, her hometown of Altona established an annual Walk – she’s been walking ever since.

“I began participating in the Walk a few years after my grandmother passed away in her memory and as a tribute to her,” Karen says. “Now I walk for both her and my father, Abe, who passed away from vascular dementia in 2011. It’s a special way to honour them.”

For many years Karen has also won the Alzheimer Society’s Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser award for her efforts in raising money for the Walk. She knows how far donations to Society go and that every little bit helps tremendously.

“Lots of people I know give regularly, but I do tap on a few new shoulders each year,” Karen says. “Even if they don’t donate, they’ll become aware of the Society.”

Raising awareness about dementia is just as important to Karen as raising funds. With dementia on the rise in the province, she feels it’s important to break apart the stereotypes and myths surrounding the disease.

“My family and I talk very openly about our experiences with dementia – we don’t feel like it’s something to hide,” she says. “Talking about it and raising more awareness in the community through events like the Walk is how we’re going to end the stigma.”

Who are you walking for? 

Walkers from across Manitoba are sharing who they are walking for at this year's IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer's:

“I’m walking for my grandfather living with vascular dementia. My girlfriends walk beside me and have even joined and raised funds for my team, Team Economists – it feels great to have their love and support.” – Ally L.

"I love how the Walk brings so many people together. This event helps bring awareness and togetherness in something that so many people might feel alone or lost within. Community is everything.” – Jessica D.

“We are walking for our beautiful Mom, Doreen, who passed away last October. Mom was a bright light in the world who loved to sing, dance and was always there for her family.” - Michele K. & Joy R.

“We walk for my husband who lived with dementia. It’s a great way to bring our family and friends together while supporting a great cause it’s a win/win for all of us.” - Theresa B.

"Many of my friends and family have been personally affected by dementia. We walk to help pay it forward to improve the future outcomes of this disease, but also to pay it back for all the support we’ve received from the Alzheimer Society.” - John B.