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NEWS — June 4, 2009
Champion Daughters
Heather MacLean (left) and Dale Ann Oord are each running for a parent with Alzheimer's
Heather MacLean and Dale Ann Oord are each crossing the finish line for a parent.
As volunteers for the Alzheimer Society of B.C., they're running the Scotiabank Half-Marathon and 5K on Sunday, June 28th to raise money and awareness about a disease that's very close to home.
"For 10 years I've watched my mom travel through the stages of Alzheimer's. In 2004 I decided to get involved with the Alzheimer Society's events as my way of making a difference and giving back," said Heather.
Together, Vancouver real estate agents Heather and Dale raised an incredible $13,000 in the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge last year for the Alzheimer Society of B.C.
"We received amazing support from our friends, families and colleagues," said Heather.
"This disease affects whole families," said Dale, who never ran in an event before last year. "My dad has Alzheimer's, and as the disease changes who he is, my mom's life is forever changed too."
New statistics released this year reveal there are now more than 70,000 people in B.C. living with dementia, and 10,000 of them are under the age of 65.
"Our population is aging; before long everyone is going to know someone with Alzheimer's," said Dale.
But there is hope. The Alzheimer Society of B.C. delivers programs for families living with the disease, and with advances made within the last 15 years, researchers are more hopeful today than ever before that a breakthrough is around the corner.
Become an Alzheimer's champion by joining us in the fight against this disease on June 28.