THUNDER BAY - The positive side of one of the world’s most challenging diseases was on full display Saturday morning at Marina Park.
Sporting bright, white t-shirts, a large crowd walked in support of Alzheimer's Disease and all those affected by it.
“There’s over 2,800 people in the community of Thunder Bay that have dementia or alzheimer’s,” said Randy Moore, executive director of The Alzheimer’s Society of Thunder Bay.
“They say for every person that has it, 12 are affected. So it’s rare that someone in this community isn’t touched somehow.”
Moore says the walk is the biggest fundraiser of the year, and says all donations will stay in Thunder Bay to support funding for Alzheimer’s education and support.
“I think because of that, a lot of people know we provide good services, and they come out to support us because they know it’s a good cause.”
With one cause in mind, walkers shared their unique stories with people of different ages, races, and classes.
“It’s an incredibly tough, and emotional disease,” Moore said.
Of the many who know the challenges of the disease, Greg Malo was willing to share his families story.
Malo walked on behalf of his mother-in-law, Colleen Alkenbrack, a teacher who was “very meticulous and organized.”
“To watch her slide with this debilitating disease was just heartbreaking,” Malo said. “She went from independent and strong… to a child.”
Alongside the horrible reality of the disease, Malo says these events are needed to bring light to the lack of funds.
“We were lucky, we had a very strong family support. But there’s other people who don’t have this support because of cutbacks. I don’t think they see Alzheimer’s as a sickness.”
Malo believes as a whole, the disease is grossly underfunded.
“We don’t have room for long-term care, and it’s just horrifying seeing some of the conditions these people are in because there is no funding available for it.”
Despite the drawbacks, Malo says it can only be improved through events such as the walk.
“It’s nice to know you’re not alone,” Malo said. “There’s a support network in this city that is phenomenal.”
For those families still facing the battle, Malo shared his perspective to the entire crowd.
"As caregivers, we have to learn how to be patient, how to stay calm... Seeing this, it's amazing to get my message across."
