THE ALZHEIMER’S SOCIETY’S MEMORY WALK WILL TAKE PLACE ON 29 SEPTEMBER

53 year old Dianne, a Londoner with early-onset dementia, will be opening Olympic Park Memory Walk for Alzheimer’s Society

WEBSITE: www.memorywalk.org.uk

People across London are today being called on to unite against dementia by signing up for Alzheimer’s Society’s Memory Walk at the iconic Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on 29 September.

53-year-old Dianne Campbell, who was diagnosed with vascular dementia at just 46-years-old, is urging people to register for the event to help the charity raise money to improve the lives of people affected by the disease.

Alzheimer’s Society has pledged to invest £150 million in the next decade to search for better treatments and work towards a cure for dementia.

Dianne, from Brent, saw her life transformed in 2013 when she received her dementia diagnosis. Like many younger people diagnosed with dementia, Dianne found a lack of age-appropriate services in her area. Although her occupational therapist was in Brent, north-west London she had to travel to the city’s centre to attend a group for younger people with dementia at Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster Memory Service.

Dianne, who was made redundant shortly after her diagnosis, was able to join a team of dementia support workers as a paid role, to help support other people in adjusting with their diagnosis, alongside their nurse or psychologist. Dianne also volunteers with Brent Dementia Action Alliance and sits on their board advising on the realities of life for people with dementia.

Dianne, who is speaking at London’s Olympic Park Memory Walk, is encouraging fellow Londoners affected by dementia to join her by going to memorywalk.org.uk.

“I did a walk a few years ago and it’s such a great way to meet other people. There is always such a great atmosphere, so I’m looking forward to returning this year to help shine a light on my experience of dementia, both from my own diagnosis and working with other people who have been diagnosed. A dementia diagnosis isn’t the end, we can live well with dementia and still do things.

“’I know a lot of people just don’t think that younger people would get such a thing. I want people to understand that anything can happen in life and that we are just the same – people.

“When I tried to find out what was wrong with me at first, they said there wasn’t enough oxygen going to my brain, so I was having tiny strokes in it. I was told that to avoid the bigger stroke I must look after myself. There are no ifs and no buts, you just have to do it.

“I want society to understand that younger people do get dementia and that’s why I will always make sure I talk about it. The Olympic Park Memory Walk will be a big gathering, so of course I am a little scared about speaking in front of thousands of people, but it’s natural to get nervous. I know once I get into it, it will be fine and afterwards I will think ‘what was I getting nervous about?’

“If I don’t talk about younger people living with dementia who’s going to? It’s got to be out there for people to understand that to avoid the condition at a young age you have to look after yourself, and if you’ve got the diagnosis still look after yourself – eat well, do exercise, help yourself. Memory Walk is the perfect opportunity to do that with a shorter walk at 2km or longer at 6km, everyone can get involved. Like they say, what’s good for the heart is good for the head, and Memory Walk is the perfect time to unite with other people affected by dementia, keeping fit and raising money to beat the condition.”

More than 52,000 people in London are living with dementia and fundraising money raised at events like Memory Walk goes towards providing support and vital dementia research.

Linda Goddard, Alzheimer’s Society Head of Region for London, said: “Dementia is now the UK’s biggest killer with someone developing it every three minutes – yet dementia research still trails far behind other health conditions, after decades of underfunding.

“We are calling on family, friends – and furry four-legged supporters – to unite against dementia this autumn. Dementia devastates lives. Walk with us at Memory Walk and dementia won’t win.

“Every pound raised will help Alzheimer’s Society provide information and support, improve care, fund research and create lasting change for people affected by dementia.”

“Unite against dementia and register now at memorywalk.org.uk”