Since 1980, the Alzheimer Society of B.C. has been focusing on raising awareness of dementia in the community and providing support and services to people living with dementia and their family members. While there is no cure today and it might be a long journey to find the one, community members can care for people living with dementia, their family members and caregivers in different ways. By building a dementia-friendly community - one where people affected by the disease are welcomed, supported and included - we can help give them the courage to live openly with dementia.
Fairchild Media Group has been a long-time supporter of the Alzheimer Society of B.C. and this year is no different. Fairchild Television and the Society will be co-producing 4th annual Telethon for Alzheimer's to help raise funds for the Society, as well as increasing awareness and understanding of dementia within the Chinese community.
"Stigma associated with people living with dementia still exists in the Chinese community," says Amy Leung, 2023 Telethon for Alzheimer's Chair. "We hope to raise awareness about dementia, create a community of care, enabling them to maintain the best quality of life possible."
Over the next 30 years, the number of people living with dementia will almost triple. Through the Telethon for Alzheimer's, the Society aims to raise funds to support various educational programs and services. "We hope that everyone will work together to support people affected by dementia and build a community of care," Amy says.
The Telethon for Alzheimer's will take place on Saturday, September 16, 2023. The event will begin with a live interview on dementia with Dr. Roger Wong (Vice Dean and Clinical Professor of Geriatric Medicine, UBC), on Fairchild Radio AM1470's "Public Forum" at 11 a.m., followed by the television program at 8:30 p.m. PT on Fairchild Television FTV 1.
In addition to providing general information about dementia, the program will feature interviews with doctors and Society staff, as well as stories of people living with dementia and their caregivers. The program will be broadcast nationwide.
We would like to extend our gratitude to a group of anonymous donors for their generous support. Starting today until September 16, 2023, the first $70,000 in donations will be matched one-to-one, doubling the impact of your donations.
We encourage everyone to support the Telethon for Alzheimer's, broadcast on Saturday, September 16 at 8:30 p.m. PT on Fairchild TV (FTV1). For details or to donate, please visit alzbc.org/telethon2023 or call 604-742-4903.
If you have any questions about dementia, call the First Link@ Dementia Helpline (Cantonese or Mandarin) at 1-833-674-5007 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)