I am a caregiver for people with Alzheimer's and mixed dementia and have been for over five years. For over two years I have assisted a man named Don Malcolm. His life story and the friendship that has developed has touched me to the very core. Don has taught me so much about myself as he has been losing parts of himself. This journey is for Don and for people like him, so as they forget, they are not forgotten. Don wrote this poem in 2009, already well into the disease:

Family of Strangers

In this humanity,
In which we all live,
We are all a part of each other.
What a wonderful world we will inherit,
When we recognize ourselves
When we meet.

I have promised Don that I am going to bring his poem to the top of Mt.Kilimanjaro and read it to the world. Right now he knows I am making this journey for him and he is so happy that his poem will be heard. With each step I will also be thinking about my two aunts who have passed away from Alzheimer’s as well as a former client Marj and my oldest and dearest friend’s mother Mary, both battling Alzheimer’s now.

Over 20 years ago my brother asked me to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro with him. A number of obstacles stood in our way at the time and we never made the trek. Over the years it became a personal goal to accomplish before I turn 50 in 2016. While researching the trip I came across The Ascent for Alzheimer’s website. I immediately knew this was a perfect fit! Now my dream of hiking Mount Kilimanjaro will come true and at the same time I will help make a huge difference for a cause that is dear to my heart.

I am committed to raising a minimum of $10,000 for The Alzheimer's Society of B.C. 100 per cent of what I raise goes directly to the cause. I would be honoured to have your support.