Celebrating our IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s Committee Chairs

The IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s, presented by Go Auto, is Canada’s largest fundraiser for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. The fun and family-friendly event raises money that funds programs, services and research while sending a message of inclusion and hope to the estimated 85,000 British Columbians currently living with dementia and the people who care for them. Here in B.C., the Walk could not happen without more than 300 volunteers, led by our Walk Committee Chairs. 

With support from staff, Walk Chairs are responsible for organizing the Walk in their community. Chairs work with their volunteer committees to engage their communities – including members of the public and local businesses – to support the event through participation, fundraising and sponsorship. This isn’t a small or simple role, but it can have a tremendous impact on the lives of people affected by the disease and help build a positive community of support.

One of the incredible people volunteering as a Walk Chair is Marisa Gagne. After graduating from university with a degree in Speech Language Pathology, Marisa was approached by a colleague and friend named Cathy Lin. Cathy asked if she’d like to join the Walk committee for Burnaby.

“We ended up knowing a lot of people on the committee,” Marisa says. “Organizing Walks during the pandemic was challenging, but it really felt like we were part of a community.”

Through her training as a speech therapist and a personal connection with her grandfather who lives with dementia, Marisa was familiar with the disease, but she did not know much about the Alzheimer Society of B.C. before joining the committee. 

“One of the things that I like most about my role is getting the chance to introduce people to the organization,” Marisa says. “People want to give. They want to help people affected by dementia.”

When the committee’s Chair stepped down in early 2024, Marisa and Cathy decided to work together as co-chairs to organize this year’s Walk.

“We’re a dream team,” says Marisa. “I like that because we oversee everything, we get to analyze our efforts and figure out how we can do things better.” 

Organizing an event like the Walk always presents unexpected challenges. Burnaby participants have come to expect lively music but with only three weeks to go before the event, Marisa and Cathy learned the choir that has performed at the event for years wouldn’t be available. Marisa and Cathy knew a replacement was needed, but they didn’t have a lot of time to find one.

“We asked our families, our friends, we posted on social media – we were desperately looking for anyone who could play music,” Marisa says. “Finally, a musician named Earl Jenkins agreed to play. He exceeded all our expectations. Earl brought all his own equipment and sound equipment for us to use and offered to play music through the entire event.”

Walk Chairs are ambassadors for the Alzheimer Society of B.C. They build relationships with volunteers, the public and local businesses, who often share stories about family members and friends who are living with dementia. When people learn what the Walk is trying to accomplish, they want to help.  

In Vernon, the  has been co-chaired for the last six years by Andrea Campbell, one of the Alzheimer Society of B.C.’s Support and Education Coordinators. Andrea’s involvement has made it possible for the community to host a vibrant and unique event that goes above and beyond to recognize its honourees. 

“Our committee likes to create themes that celebrate the people we’re honouring,” Andrea says. “This year, the honouree was a teacher who has always loved bright colours. Participants dressed in tie-dye, we blew bubbles and made all our decorations colourful. It was so much fun!”

One year when they honoured a big family, the committee emulated a big, backyard family get-together by BBQing and setting up games like ring toss, Plinko and a giant checkerboard. For a woodworker honouree, a local Men’s shed was spotlighted for their woodworking contributions to the community. A musical honouree was entertained by a live band.  

“As a Walk Chair, you can bring ideas to life and create a special day for everyone,” Andrea says. “You play a key role in starting important conversations about dementia in your community.”  

The Alzheimer Society of B.C. is incredibly grateful for everything Walk Chairs do to make the event a success and create strong, dementia-friendly communities across the province. With seven communities in need of Walk chairs around the province, we need more volunteers like Marisa, Cathy and Andrea. If you want to give back to your community and you have time, energy and a willingness to learn, this could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for – no need for expertise on dementia or event planning. 

“Don’t be scared,” Marisa says. “I felt supported by volunteers, staff and the community to put on an important event for people affected by dementia. People are generous and grateful for the opportunity to help. I carry the positivity I felt as a Walk Chair with me in my day-to-day life, year-round.” 

If you are interested in becoming a Walk Chair in your community, please email Nick Dunn at ndunn@alzheimerbc.org.