Adam Prudhomme
Editor
A group of determined participants took steps to help those in KFLA living with dementia during Saturday’s IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimers.
Departing from Napanee’s John M Parrott Centre, the leisurely walk featured all ages doing their part to raise much needed funds to battle the debilitating disease.
“We can’t take anyone’s love or family for granted,” said Shelby Kramp-Neuman, MP for Hastings-Lennox and Addington who was on hand to help kick off the walk. “Not everyone has the luxury of growing old. Growing old, growing seasoned, growing into the prime years of their life is something that we should be so grateful for. Healthcare, in my opinion, is one of the largest responsibilities of the federal government. This is why working closely with the provincial government and our municipal counterparts is so extremely critical. The minutia of healthcare, in my opinion, is largely irrelevant if there is no local willingness among Canadians to improve and engage with healthcare delivery. That is why all of you are here today.”
An estimated half million people in Ontario live with dementia and that number continues to rise.
“So many of us know how crippling this disease can be,” said Kramp-Neuman. “Not only do we lose our loved ones, but often our loved ones lose their entire family. It is probably one of the most heart-wrenching realities that many people face. I really do believe that we are making progress through dialogue and events such as this, you are raising awareness. We are sending a message that Canada needs to do more.”
The walk is important to raise funds for the Alzheimer Society of KFLA as only 40 per cent of their funding comes from the government-the rest comes from community support. Its also an opportunity to educate the public on some of the many programs offered from their Napanee offices at 26 Dundas St. W.
To learn more about their services, visit https://alzheimer.ca/kfla/fr/node/241.