AS York walk raises more than $175,000

About 500 people walked at Lake Wilcox Park on May 30, during the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s, raising more than $175,000 for the Alzheimer Society of York Region (AS York).

As AS York’s largest fundraiser of the year, the event featured entertainment, a silent auction, raffles, refreshments and a powerful opening ceremony. The ceremony included a shoelace tribute that invites walkers to honour and remember friends and family impacted by the disease. Ceremonies also included remarks from Elizabeth De Faria, this year’s Honorary Family, who spoke about her family’s nearly 40-year connection to AS York.

“How many of us try to walk the path alone without support, to carry the weight alone? We need to walk the path together by connecting with the Alzheimer Society of York Region,” de Faria said. “When you connect with them, you feel an instant comfort, knowing you are no longer alone. I speak first-hand when I say they are with you every step of the way.”

De Faria’s mother lives with dementia, and both her grandmother and father died after a battle with the disease.

CEO Kari Quinn-Humphrey also reminded participants that AS York is here to provide services for caregivers and those living with dementia through social work support, active living programs, DAY programs and more. She thanked participants, donors, volunteers, sponsors and their VIPs for helping AS York reach their fundraising goal.

“The success of the IG Walk for Alzheimer’s was due to the enthusiasm and support of every person who came out,” she said. “We are incredibly grateful for the generosity and kindness of donors, sponsors, walkers and volunteers. They showed families impacted by the disease that they are not alone and there is a large circle of support around them.”

Photo: The Tsilivis family has participated in the IG Walk for Alzheimer’s for 11 years. (Lisa Day photo)