Building a community of care: Telethon for Alzheimer's

The Alzheimer Society of B.C. is dedicated to empowering people living with dementia and their caregivers through crucial programs and services while raising awareness of the disease. The Society believes that a dementia-friendly community – where people affected by the disease are welcomed, supported and included – gives them the courage to live well with dementia.

Fairchild Media Group has been a long-time supporter of the Alzheimer Society of B.C. This year marks the fifth year of Fairchild Television co-producing the Telethon for Alzheimer's with the Society. The program aims to 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 Brenda Wong, 2024 Telethon for Alzheimer's co-chair. “We hope to raise awareness about dementia and create a community of care, enabling them to maintain the best quality of life possible.”

By 2050, one in three people with dementia in B.C. will be of Asian origin, making the work of the Alzheimer Society of B.C. more important than ever. The Society is committed to provide culturally-relevant support for the Chinese community; this year, they have successfully launched Chinese-language programs in new locations including Burnaby and Port Moody – further to existing programs in Richmond and Vancouver. Their work is only possible because of the generosity of donors through the Telethon for Alzheimer's and other fundraising initiatives, as well as your continued contributions to ensure these programs can connect to even more people in need.

The Telethon for Alzheimer's will take place on Sunday, October 20 at 8:30 p.m. 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.

The day before the Telethon, Saturday, October 19, a Society representative will give a live interview to introduce the Society's programs and services on Fairchild Radio AM1470's “Public Forum” at 11 a.m.

The Society would like to extend its gratitude to a group of anonymous donors for their generous support. Starting today until October 20, the first $50,000 in donations will be matched, dollar for dollar, doubling the impact of your donations.

We encourage everyone to support the Telethon for Alzheimer's, broadcast on Sunday, October 20 at 8:30 p.m. on Fairchild TV (FTV1). For details or to donate, please visit alzbc.org/telethon2024 or call 604-742-4923.

If you have any questions about dementia, please call the First Link® Dementia Helpline (Cantonese or Mandarin) at 1-833-674-5007 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) or visit the Society's website at alzbc.org/Chinese.