Anything for Alzheimer’s spotlight: A coach’s commitment to community

When Katie Chan laced up her skates and got on the ice, she could always count on seeing her biggest fan in the stands – her grandfather, Bruce, whom she lovingly called Papa. 

Bruce’s journey with dementia ended in 2020, but his presence is still felt in every game Katie plays and every time she coaches. His unwavering support and love have become the driving force behind her mission to raise awareness and support for people living with dementia. 

“My Papa was an incredible man,” Katie says. “He came to as many of my games as he could and was always cheering for me and my teammates.”  

Since his passing, Katie, now 22, has honoured his memory by donating a portion of her coaching earnings each year to the Alzheimer Society of B.C. But this past summer, she took her commitment a step further. Blending her lifelong passion for hockey with her deep desire to make a difference, she created the Alzheimer’s Awareness Skate, a one-of-a-kind fundraiser that brought her community together in a way that was both joyful and deeply personal. 

The day began with a morning skills session on the ice, followed by a lunch break and friendly Spike Ball tournament, before players returned to the ice for an afternoon of games. At the same time, Katie ran a week-long online silent auction giving even more people the opportunity to take part. She even personally delivered the auction items to the winners --small acts that reflected her commitment to keeping the spirit of connection and community alive. 

By the end of the day, surrounded by friends, family, players and supporters, Katie felt the weight of the moment. “At the end of the event, I gathered everyone to thank them and unexpectedly became emotional,” she says. “In that moment I realized how much I missed him and how grateful I was for everyone’s support.” 

The response was overwhelming. Her community rallied to spread the word, donate items and show up in person. And the event sparked conversations that went far beyond hockey –parents, players, and neighbours shared their own stories of how dementia had touched their lives.  

“It was meaningful to connect with the families on a personal level and see how much this disease affects so many,” Katie says. 

Katie’s advice to anyone thinking about hosting an Anything for Alzheimer’s fundraiser is simple: don’t hesitate.  

“It can be challenging, but it’s absolutely worth it.”  

Her message is to use whatever platform you have, no matter the size, to help support people living with dementia and those who proivde care and support. 

“Even small contributions matter,” she says. “Giving back is something everyone can do.” 

Looking ahead, Katie dreams of growing her event into a full tournament. But for now, she hopes her story will inspire others to take action – to honour people in their lives who are living with dementia, support families and bring their communities together. Because, as Katie has shown, when passion meets purpose, the results can be extraordinary.   

Get involved 

When it comes to supporting people affected by dementia, community makes all the difference. That’s what makes Anything for Alzheimer’s so powerful – it gives people the chance to take what they love and turn it into a lasting impact. Whether it’s trivia, baking, running, painting or playing music, your passion can become a force for change. There’s no one-size-fits-all event and each fundraiser reflects the person behind it and the people they’re honouring. While there may be zero percent cure, we do have one hundred percent community: show up, get creative and build a legacy of care and connection. Start your own Anything for Alzheimer’s event, because your talents have the power to make a difference. 

Funds raised through Anything for Alzheimer’s help provide vital support services, including the First Link® Dementia Helpline, which offers information, guidance and compassion to anyone facing the dementia journey. The helpline is toll-free and confidential and is available Monday to Friday: 

• English: 1-800-936-6033 (9 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
• Cantonese and Mandarin: 1-833-674-5007 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
• Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu: 1-833-674-5003 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Learn more about Anything for Alzheimer’s and how you can host your event at anythingforalzheimers.ca.