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Team Alzheimer’s goes the distance for dementia
It may just be in their nature, but over the eight years they’ve known each other, Nicole Bertrand and Sandy Riley have shared a friendly competition.
“Whether we’re cross-country skiing, hiking, or even just going up stairs together, we’re both very competitive,” explained Nicole Bertrand. “So it made sense to get Sandy to do a half-marathon with me.”
Nicole is celebrating her 60th birthday this year by running in the Scotiabank Half-Marathon & 5K Run/Walk on June 27, 2010. Sandy turns 64 just four days before the event.
They’re hoping to help Team Alzheimer’s reach this year’s goal of raising $25,000 for the Alzheimer Society of B.C., which is being recognized as a featured charity among the select group of non-profit organizations chosen to benefit from the event.
Both women lost their mothers to the disease. This half-marathon is the first for Sandy, and is another example of how both women have been tireless in their commitment to the cause. Previously, both climbed and reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro the highest mountain in Africa and climbed Aconcagua in Argentina at 6,962 metres as part of fundraising events. Nicole’s aunt is now living with the disease.
“We’re celebrating our personal milestones by raising awareness and money for the Alzheimer Society of B.C.,” explained Nicole. “We’re doing this together and as a team because we know first hand what the dementia journey is like for families who are impacted by the disease and we want to help ensure that no one is on the dementia journey alone.”
“No matter how tough it may feel doing our first half-marathon, it’s nothing like the dementia journey; they don’t get to quit so we don’t get to quit,” said Sandy.
As Sandy tells Nicole about her practice run the night before, Nicole responded with a playful smile, “your practice run needs to be longer and faster.”
“You know, we’re hikers, not distance runners,” insisted Sandy, though any hint of momentary apprehension in Sandy’s voice quickly dissipated at the excitement and laughter the two women share at the thought of a new challenge.
Click here to support Sandy and Nicole or to register and join our team.
