The annual IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s will take place on Sunday, May 29, at the Tournament Capital Centre.
It will be the first such walk since 2019, with the 2020 and 2021 events cancelled due to the pandemic.
The walk raises funds and awareness for the Alzheimer Society of B.C., enabling the charity to continue to provide programs and services to British Columbians affected by dementia, while also helping to fund dementia research.
This year, the Kamloops Walk is honouring Jim Mitchell.
Jim and wife Margaret immigrated to Canada with their children in 1974. From Montreal, they set off on an adventure across Canada before settling in Kamloops, where they have lived for 47 years.
Over the years, the Mitchells noticed a decline in Jim’s functioning. By 2018, he showed signs of forgetfulness and confusion. During a check-up, Jim was diagnosed with the early stages of dementia.
The diagnosis gave the Mitchells some relief. Margaret and their daughter Tina began attending caregiver education meetings to better understand what Jim was experiencing.
Jim has been an active participant of the Alzheimer Society of B.C.’s Minds in Motion sessions for the past four years.
Jim is open in sharing his diagnosis with his friends.
“Even though they don’t realize it, enabling me to share my stories and by sharing their response to how I feel, they help me tremendously,” he said.
Jim advises those with a similar diagnosis to spend time with others so as not to feel so alone. He recommends participating in Minds in Motion and attending Alzheimer Society of B.C. support groups.
The IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s takes place on Sunday at 8 a.m., with the walk beginning at 9:30 a.m.
For more information on the walk and for details on how to help, go online to alzbc.org/walk
For more information on the local walk, email kamloopswalkchair@alzheimerbc.org.
