MOOSOMIN — Building on the success of last year’s inaugural Walk for Alzheimer’s in Moosomin, organizers confirmed a second walk will be happening in Moosomin on May 24. Last year around 140 people participated in the walk, with $140,000 raised for the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada.
“This year, we are an actual location in line with Regina, Saskatoon, PA, Swift Current, and Moose Jaw,” explained Renee Whelpton during the March 28 Moosomin Chamber of Commerce meeting. “For us to be an in-person walk with the representatives from Regina coming, it’s quite an honour. We have a lot more work to do, and we have a lot more accountability, but we can do it.”
Whelpton is a member of the Moosomin Caregiver Support Group that organized last year’s walk, which was a ‘Walk in a Box’ meant for smaller fundraising walks for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Being the first time the walk was held, organizers weren’t certain what the response might look like, but given the success of the first event, the decision was made to go with an in-person walk this year.
“We hope to get a lot of walkers,” Whelpton told those gathered at the Chamber meeting. “It affects everyone. I don’t think there’s anybody who doesn’t know someone who’s affected by dementia. We also want to promote our group, because we have an Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group.”
There are over 20,000 people in Saskatchewan living with dementia, and fundraisers such as the local walk see every dollar stay in the province.
