Alzheimer Society of Windsor-Essex raises awareness locally

by Garrett Fodor

With every step, Windsor-Essex walked for memory, support, and hope as the Alzheimer Society of Windsor-Essex gathered the community on Saturday to shine a light on Alzheimer’s and dementia.

On Saturday, the Alzheimer Society of Windsor-Essex invited the community to the Ford Test Track in Windsor for its annual IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s. The walk is a part of a national initiative last weekend that has been going on for nearly 15-years, to bring awareness to those diagnosed with dementia. Locally, according to the Alzheimer Society of Windsor-Essex, there are 9,108 people currently living with dementia within the community.

  “It supports services that couldn’t be more in need as we have an aging population,” Veronica Samek, Volunteer and Community Engagement Coordinator for the Alzheimer Society of Windsor-Essex County, said. “We use proceeds for local programs and services to support people living with dementia and their caregivers. We need more services and we need more funding, while we are also in the process of finding a new [facility] that we could consider dementia-friendly.” 

Locally, Samek noted that participation jumped from almost 150 to over 250 participants from last year to this year. While many came from across Windsor-Essex, some participants joined family and friends, hailing from Detroit and New Brunswick, respectively.

  In addition to the participants almost doubling, Samek noted there was also a substantial jump in the funds raised, as more than $12,000 was collected locally compared to last year. In online donations collected alone, the Windsor-Essex edition of the event raised over $28,000 aside from in-person cash donations. Nationally, the Society raised almost $7million in 2024, with more than 26,000 participants joining walks last year.

  “My husband [Rick] has dementia, and we are here supporting him. He’s got a great crowd of people behind him and we are so fortunate for the programming offered by the Alzheimer Society of Windsor-Essex. They’ve provided me with courses that have helped and offer Rick programming as well that has helped,” Margo Wilkinson said, who helped to organize more than 25 different supporters walking with Rick.

  “This disease has not gotten Rick down, and when we heard about this walk and fundraising effort, the support we got, it was automatic. Everyone was willing and it shows the impact Rick’s made for our family and the togetherness.”

  “My dad has taught me everything that I needed to know as a kid, so being able to give back to him is special,” Derek Wilkinson said, who was walking alongside his dad, Rick. “It’s a huge event, and it brings together so many families like ours together with others from the community. You get a sense of community for those who are going through this illness; it takes a village, but we have one here with us today. It is incredible to see the support and fundraising that is completed.”

Aside from the walk, other programming was offered onsite for participants to enjoy, from free yoga before the walk, to stretches, entertainment, and more.

In addition to walking, they also had a memorial garden, featuring pinwheels, which could be placed in memory of those who passed with dementia, or in support of those living with it. Families were able to take these mementos home with them.  

  Samek noted that they are hoping to expand their efforts across Windsor-Essex next year, as she would like to host walks across the region, from Leamington to Windsor. Samek added they are hoping to start a committee to help organize further renditions next year and invited anyone interested to connect with them online, starting at the website: https://alzheimer.ca/windsoressex/. 

  She is thankful for everyone who donated and participated in the 2025 edition of the walk and hopes to continue to have the momentum grow for years to come.