According to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, Alzheimer's disease is a fatal, progressive and degenerative disease that destroys brain cells.
It is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 64 per cent of all dementias in Canada.
A 2012 study done by the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada showed that 747,000 Canadians were living with cognitive impairment, including dementia.
That's approximately 15 per cent of Canadians 65 and older.
With the total costs related to Dementia and Alzheimer’s, including both medical and indirect costs, reaching $33 Billion each year, the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada is working to find a cure and to ease the lives of those currently afflicted with the disease.
Each year, the Alzheimer Society of Timmins-Porcupine District hosts their annual duck race fundraiser at the Great Canadian Kayak Challenge and Festival.
In the months leading up to the race, tickets with a corresponding number to a duck are sold for five dollars each. This year, 3000 rubber ducks were prepared for the race with between 1700 and 1800 being sold; raising approximately $5000 after the prize money was awarded.
According to Michael Joseph, community development and awareness coordinator for the Alzheimer Society of Timmins-Porcupine District, this number fell short of previous years but he expects that upcoming fundraising events will help overcome this.
In September, Joseph explains, “The Alzheimer Society will be running their Coffee Break fund raisers where local businesses can host a coffee break in their organization and people can donate that way.”
Also, the Alzheimer Society will be hosting a Christmas Gala where they hope to invite a number of organizations throughout Timmins and the surrounding area to have their Christmas parties at this event.
For anyone who bought a ticket for the Rubber Duck Race, check your numbers. The winners are as follows: 1st Place for $2000 was duck number 745, 2nd Place for $1000 was duck number 1308, 3rd Place for $500 was duck number 1655 and 4th Place for the mystery prize was duck number 1701.
If your duck was a winner, contact the Alzheimer Society at 705-268-4554 or at their office located at 70 Cedar Street South, Timmins, Ontario.
(PHOTO Tim Treveena, Alexandre Fortier and Tracy Koskamp-Bergeron prepare the course for this year’s Duck Race. Dave Kramer/ Timmins Today)
