Building Community: How Go Auto blends professional impact with personal passion.

We are thrilled to welcome Go Auto back as presenting sponsor for the 2025 Walk. Their commitment stems from more than just corporate responsibility—it reflects a profound connection to the cause and the people it impacts. With two out of every three British Columbians affected by dementia in some way, this is an issue that touches employees, customers, and communities alike.

For Tom Abrams, General Manager at Go Auto’s North Surrey location, the connection to dementia is personal. His grandmother Helena, a vibrant and giving member of her church community in Edmonton, was diagnosed with dementia five years ago. Once known for her warm hospitality and tireless fundraising efforts—selling handmade perogies to support local causes—Helena began experiencing memory challenges that altered her daily life.

“She’d forget if she had taken her medication or not,” Tom shares. “And she started asking about things—like family heirlooms—that had been gone for years.” For Helena’s family, adjusting to this new reality was difficult. Still, they found strength and solace in their community and others navigating similar experiences.

Years later – after Helena moved into long-term care and he moved to B.C. –  Tom channels that experience into action, working to ensure families like his have better support and resources. Earlier this year, he spearheaded a fundraising campaign at Go Auto North Surrey, setting an ambitious goal: to sell 200 cars in March, with partial proceeds benefiting the Alzheimer Society of B.C. Tom and his team exceeded that goal, selling 237 cars and raising $31,000, bolstered by donations from staff that Tom personally matched. “At every step, we started a conversation with our customers about what we were doing and why,” Tom explains. “It wasn’t just about selling cars—it was about making an impact.”

Tom’s story is reflective of the community-minded culture at Go Auto and why they remain connected to the Alzheimer Society of B.C. and events like the Walk.

“People living with dementia and caregivers deserve to have access to meaningful dementia support that meets their needs, which is why Go Auto is so thrilled to be continuing as provincial presenting sponsor for the Walk,” says Michael Hladun, Senior Vice President for Go Auto. “It’s incredibly important for people across the province to understand the impact that dementia has on their communities – but also, how they can help.”

As we approach this year's Walk, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Go Auto for their support and partnership in our vision to create a world without Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.