Making memories matter (4 photos)

Vicki Kunkel, Melanie Currie, Jared Discher, and Valerie Hurdle were just four of many participants who took part in the 19th annual Walk for Alzheimer's at White Pines on Sunday afternoon.

And all four were walking to honour loved ones who suffered from the disease.

The Alzheimer Society of Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District fundraiser draws 150 participants on average, Bea Fioramanti, resource development coordinator, told SooToday.

“We’re very happy that we have that base of people that come out every year because our walk is in the winter,” she said. “Even though it’s indoors, people are still coming after the busy month of December. To be able to raise funds for local services at this time of year is amazing.”

January is Alzheimer Awareness Month and the organization has been active within the community educating the public and dispelling the stigma surrounding the disease. Currently, 564,000 Canadians are living with dimentia.

“People that have the disease can function for many years as productive citizens. We have volunteers that have the disease. We really want people to know that we’re there to help them with our services.”

Funds raised from Sunday’s event will assist local programming such as recreational therapy and support programs for those afflicted and their caregivers.

“Education is also very important,” said Fioramanti. “The more you know about the disease, the better you’ll be able to navigate the changes you’re going to see in your loved one.”

A new program in our region offered by the Alzheimer Society of Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District is Minds in Motion, a free initiative that originated in British Columbia.

“It’s body, mind and soul,” Fioramanti explained. “We have exercises to keep the body in shape, to keep the blood flowing. For the mind we engage in mental aerobics which is really important. The best part is the soul, it’s the social aspect, especially for the caregivers because they’re conversing with other caregivers that are there with their loved ones. They share ideas and get support from each other.”

At the time of our visit this afternoon, the Sault Walk for Alzheimer’s had raised $36,905, but Fioramanti expects that tally to increase.

Interested donors can contribute funds following the walk and donations will be accepted online until the end of February.