In previous years people in Elliot Lake and Blind River who took part in the annual Alzheimer's Walk went to Elliot Lake Secondary School to walk the halls and raise awareness and funds for the Alzheimer Society. Until now it's happened once a year, each winter.
Following public health guidelines from the province this year, the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer's is going online to keep everyone safe. And it's moving to spring to be held this year on Saturday, May 30.
Last year, the Elliot Lake walk was held in late January and raised $7,800. This year is the first time that Blind River will have its own walk.
Physically distanced hiking, biking, dog walking, or other activities are a few suggestions for people joining the fight against Alzheimer's Disease this month.
East Algoma Alzheimer Society Community Outreach Coordinator Randi Lacko suggests "Just anything with social distancing they want to take part in and raise awareness about Alzheimer's disease. Everybody's being so creative about what they're coming up with."
She went on, "Everything that gets raised stays local. It goes into education, our rec therapy program, all sorts of things like that which we are able to help the community with."
Walk organizers are encouraging people to challenge themselves to take 240,000 steps in the month of May, out of respect for the 240,000 people living with dementia in Ontario. You can also set your own goal.
To register online as an individual or to add a virtual team you can go to the website.
You can share your pictures of how you will be participating on your social media to raise public awareness. Use hashtag #IGWalkForAlz or hashtag #alzstepchallenge.
Visit the Alzheimer Society of Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District's Facebook page to see messages and videos from other participants.
For more information please call the East Algoma Society office in Elliot Lake at 705-848-8145.