Breakfast to Remember events raise more than $242K to help build more inclusive communities for people affected by dementia
This year's Breakfast to Remember events in Victoria and Vancouver have raised more than $242,000 to help us build dementia-friendly communities.
Leaders from across sectors in Victoria and Vancouver came together at Breakfast to Remember and raised more than $242,000 to support British Columbians affected by dementia. The breakfast events, held February 26 in Victoria and March 7 in Vancouver, featured personal talks from engaged community members in an array of fields, from caregiving, policing and business to dementia research.
On February 26 at the Victoria Conference Centre, guests heard insights into caring for people affected by dementia from a variety of perspectives. Caregivers Geoff and Annemarie Travers shared their story of walking the Camino de Santiago with Geoff’s sister Kathy, who lives with Alzheimer’s disease, while Saanich Police Department Constable Andrea Toombs spoke to her development of dementia education for police officers. UVic PhD candidate Tomiko Yoneda closed the morning’s talks when she delved into her extensive research aimed at improving care for people affected by dementia. The sixth-annual Breakfast to Remember, presented by Trillium Boutique Senior Living, was hosted by CTV Vancouver Island weekend anchor Christina Stevens.
On March 7, to a sold-out crowd at Vancouver’s Fairmont Waterfront, speakers Dr. Roger Wong, Executive Associate Dean (Education) in the Faculty of Medicine at UBC and Caren McSherry, founder and CEO of The Gourmet Warehouse, shared details of their work and personal connections to dementia to help build a more supportive and inclusive province for people affected by the disease. Emceed by Global National’s Dawna Friesen, the eighth-annual event focused on how all members of any community can act to support the growing number of British Columbians affected by dementia.
The Alzheimer Society of B.C. is grateful to the volunteer organizing committees and the more than 560 people who attended these two important events. Funds raised will support the Alzheimer Society of B.C.’s programs, services and advocacy efforts to change the experience of people living with dementia and enable research into the causes and possible cure.
“At a time when the number of British Columbians living with dementia is on the rise, it’s inspiring to see more guests than ever come together and show their support at Breakfast to Remember,” said Alzheimer Society of B.C. CEO Maria Howard. “These events not only fund critical programs and services – the conversations they foster help spark the movement needed to break down stigma and build a more supportive and inclusive society.”
Discover the ways you could get involved with one of the Alzheimer Society of B.C.'s events held throughout the year - or even how to host your own fundraising event - on our Events Page.