Australia’s biggest dementia fundraiser, Memory Walk & Jog, is coming to Toowoomba for the first time this Sunday morning 2nd April at Lindsay Street Ovals, Queens’s Park:

· Event and registrations open at 7.30 am

· The official welcome at 8.40 am

· The walks/jogs kicking off from 9 am.

41 year old Carol Cann from Millmerran will be participating on Sunday, after she set up her own DIY Memory Walk last September in Toowoomba. Her mum (Lorna) was diagnosed with frontal lobe dementia at 61 years old (now 64) and now lives in an aged care facility, with people 20 years her senior.

Carol hopes to raise awareness about dementia affecting younger people, not just the elderly. It is not the first time she has been affected, after losing both of her grandparents to Alzheimer’s.
“I’m only 41 and still quite young to have a mother going through this – there are a lot of medical and financial decisions that I now need to take care of that I wasn’t expecting,” said Carol.

“She should be in the prime of her retirement enjoying life.”

 “Mum was diagnosed two years ago, after we got a phone call from the police that she was found behaving a bit oddly. With hindsight, I could probably tell that something was wrong, but at the time you can’t see it happening.”

“Other health issues like cancer get a lot of attention, but dementia is largely ignored and now the second biggest killer in Australia. I hope that I can help others by sharing my story.”

“People of any age can be affected and people don’t realise that you lose your loved one twice.”

“Taking part in Memory Walk & Jog is a personal challenge for me and by raising funds I hope to do something that helps the next generation.”

“You learn as you go and take it day by day. I try to take the positives in everything and hope that somewhere along the line that there will be a cure for other families.”

2017 Toowoomba Memory Walk & Jog

What:             Alzheimer’s Australia (Qld) first Toowoomba Memory Walk & Jog

When:            Sunday 2^nd April 2017

7.30 am – Event and registrations open

8.40 am – Official welcome

9 am – 5km run starts

9.05 am – 5km walk starts

9.10 am – 2.5km walk starts

10.05 – 10.10 am – Zumba cool down

10.10 – 10.30 am – Presentations

Who:              An estimated 200 walkers and runners

Alzheimer’s Australia (Qld) General Manager – Community Relations, Kerry Cutting
Mike Bennet (Logan FM) who will be the Master of Ceremonies
Deputy Mayor, Cr Carol Taylor

 For more information, go to http://memorywalk-toowoomba.gofundraise.com.au/

Opal Aged Care is the major supporter of the 2017 Memory Walk & Jog in NSW, Victoria and Queensland. For more information, go to www.memorywalk.com.au.

 Memory Walk & Jog is the largest fundraiser for dementia in Australia. In 2017, Alzheimer’s Australia will hold 18 Memory Walk & Jog events around the country to raise funds to support people with dementia, their families and carers, and help promote brain health and healthy lifestyles to all Australians. All courses are wheelchair accessible and there are different distances to choose from, depending on your age and fitness level.

 Alzheimer’s Australia is the charity for people with dementia and their families and carers. As the peak body, it provides advocacy, support services, education and information. An estimated 413,106 people have dementia in Australia. This number is projected to reach more than a million by 2056. 

National Dementia Helpline: 1800 100 500
An interpreter service is available                    

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