Alzheimer’s victim raises $2.2K to combat the disease
When Brenda Young had to be put into Meadow Park due to suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s, she didn’t let it slow her community support mindset one bit.
In fact, that move may have kicked her into overdrive.
Brenda, 87, recently took part in the seniors’ care facility’s third annual Walk for Alzheimer’s, raising $2,200 in the process.
Her efforts, with support from her daughters Shari Lamore and Geri Young, helped Meadow Park raise more than $3,500 on walk day, June 4.
Participants conducted the walk in the facility’s main parking lot. Flanked by her daughters, Brenda, who normally uses a wheelchair to get around, circled the parking lot.
She wasn’t alone. Out of Meadow Park’s 73 residents, 61 completed the walk. Organizers accepted donations and held a barbecue.
All funds raised are going to the Alzheimer’s Society of Chatham-Kent.
Geri said her mother Brenda has always volunteered and helped fundraise for causes near and dear to her heart.
“She’s always been a fundraiser. It’s in her blood,” Geri said.
In December of 2023, Brenda was diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer’s, and Geri said she was a resident at Meadow Park a month later.
Shortly after that, she began fundraising for the 2024 walk. Brenda raised $700.
But she wasn’t done.
“Starting in December of last year, she made it very well known she’d be fundraising again for this year, and drove everybody crazy in January,” Geri joked.
Brenda set a goal of $800. Geri said she quickly reached that mark and then shot for $1,000. When she passed that, she doubled the goal to $2,000.
Mission accomplished.
Geri said her mother hopes to see funds utilized to add resources locally.
“She feels there’s not enough resources for people with dementia; how to talk to people with dementia and how to approach them,” the daughter said. “She’s hoping this money goes towards education in the home and the community.”
