Why They Hiked

They had what it takes to hike Mt. Kilimanjaro. Do you?

Laurie McAvoy

Laurie McAvoy, Kevin Sanford and Allan O'Meara during the night of hiking to the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro - Uhuru Peak!

My beautiful and gracious mother, Esther, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s on February 3rd 2004. I’ll never forget that day because it was the worst day of my life. She and Dad had a simple plan – to grow old together and enjoy their retirement – but they weren’t to be permitted this simple wish. Mum continues her impossible battle with this relentless opponent today in a care facility. Alzheimer’s has stolen almost everything from her except her smile.

In 2009, I was attending The Power Within conference in Vancouver, and noticed an Ascent for Alzheimer’s flyer on a table. I immediately knew that I would take up the challenge and join the 2010 team. There was not a doubt in my mind that I was meant to find that flyer and do this thing. This was a way I could make a tangible difference, and I would do it to honour my mother, on behalf of my family, and also for the countless others out there affected by this horrific disease.

With the support of family, friends and work colleagues, I began an intense year of planning, fundraising and physical training to prepare for the actual hike. One of my good friends even opted to join me on the Ascent team!

Now that my fundraising goal has been reached, and I (along with the entire 2010 team) made it to the highest peak on Mt Kilimanjaro, people ask how I feel about it all. The answer is pretty simple: I feel honoured, I feel humbled, and I feel joy. It’s an experience I would not have missed for the world. I don’t mean just the hike, although that was life-changing in itself. I’m thankful for the opportunity to have raised funds and awareness, for having met and bonded with my team, and for having done something that feels like it made a real difference.

Is it your turn? If it feels like it might be, go for it!

Ed Arnold

Ed Arnold has raised the bar for anyone who has hiked Mt. Kilimanjaro or who is thinking about  hiking.  Ed, at the age of 69, has done Ascent for Alzheimer’s twice for the Alzheimer Society of B.C. – the only hiker in the history of the event to claim this amazing accomplishment.  Here is Ed’s story…

Five years ago my son Ryan and I did Ascent for Alzheimer’s 2005. Our fund raising and ascent of Mt. Kilimanjaro was done in memory of my mother and held very special meaning for us. The photo shows Ryan and me standing on the top of the world’s tallest free standing mountain.

In September of this year I hiked a second time. I decided to take on the challenge of fundraising and hiking Kilimanjaro again, this time in honour of our dear friends, Allan and Linda Collier.

I urge members of my generation to do all we can to help find a cure, especially so that our children won't grow old with the fear that their lives may be impacted by Alzheimer's disease. And, in reality, what other options do we have if we share this passion to find a cure, than to raise money for research and to fund support programs provided by the Society for victims of the disease and their care givers?

Do you have it to meet Ed’s challenge?

IS THIS YOUR YEAR?

If you or your family, friends or colleagues have what it takes to hike Mt. Kilimanjaro, we’d like to hear from you! 

For more information on how you can join an Ascent Team, contact:

Alyssa Brownsmith
Special Events Officer
Phone: 604-742-4920
Toll-Free: 1-800-667-3742
E-mail: abrownsmith@alzheimerbc.org

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