Meet the 2008 Ascent for Alzheimer’s Team
Follow the links below to meet and support the team members:
- Darcy Bender, Vancouver, BC
- Angela Chang, Vancouver, BC
- Peter Debay, Vancouver, BC
- Harry Diemer, Victoria, BC
- Shannon Epp, North Vancouver, BC
- Lisah Fraser, Kamloops, BC
- Kit Morissette, Coquitlam, BC
- Becki Paterson, Victoria, BC
- Susan "Sue" Ross, North Vancouver, BC
- Cliff Saito, Vancouver, BC
- Sherry Ulaszonek, Victoria, BC
If you’d like to support the entire Ascent team, click here to make a general donation.
Darcy Bender
Vancouver, B.C.
Click here to support Darcy!
Darcy Bender, a senior computer technician who lives in North Vancouver, B.C., will join his fiancé, Shannon Epp, not only to honour Shannon’s father but also in memory of his own grandfather.
“My grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s the same year I was born. I was too young to realize how slowly he was being taken away from our world,” he recalls.
“I remember being six years old and my grandfather handing me five cents. He turned to me and said “Son, I know this is lot of money, but it's important to spend it wisely, and maybe even save some of it.” I remember feeling shocked and thinking to myself – even at that young age – what do I do with five cents? It was not until I was much older that I realized that my grandfather was reliving a memory from his past.
“It warmed my heart to know he was a generous and loving father. I kept that five cents for years, until after many moves, over many years, I lost it.”
It was Shannon who introduced Darcy to the idea of doing Ascent for Alzheimer’s. He said learning that her father had the same condition his grandfather had lived with was almost surreal. “I thought after my grandfather had passed that it would never come my way again. However, Alzheimer's affects my life again. All I can do is help Shannon in whatever way I can.”
Angela Chang
Vancouver, B.C.
Click here to support Angela!
Angela Chang, a tax manager from Vancouver, describes herself as someone who is always up for an adventure – and trekking to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro for a good cause certainly qualifies! ”If I can do good for others during the course of my adventure, it makes my life that much more worth living.”
After seeing an inspiring slide show by past-participant Brandi Scales, Angela says Ascent “immediately made my must-do list”.
”It really made me think. I live such a privileged life, and I have so much. Participating in Ascent, and the other work that I do in the community, is my way of giving back and sharing what I have.”
Before Angela saw the Ascent presentation, she had misconceptions about what kind of person could summit Mount Kilimanjaro. “I thought only the most elite athlete could do it, but that was wrong because it’s normal people who reach the summit!”
Angela’s goals for this trek are twofold. On a personal level, she is just happy to help. But she also wants to experience reaching the summit of one of the highest mountains in the world.
“Even though I don’t personally have any connection to Alzheimer’s disease, I know that with the aging population, more and more people are being affected.”
Angela says she also finds a lot of meaning in the event itself. “I love the metaphor that the Alzheimer Society of B.C. uses—that reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro mirrors the mountainous challenges that people with Alzheimer’s disease and their families face everyday.”
Peter Debay
Vancouver, B.C.
Click here to support Peter!
Feeling overdue for some adventure, graphic designer Peter Debay of Vancouver became excited about doing Ascent for Alzheimer’s while he was doing some initial research into trekking Mount Kilimanjaro. He was thrilled to learn that a former work colleague, Tamara Poirier, was on the 1999 Ascent team and had a fantastic experience.
“I’ve had an interest in climbing a mountain like Mount Kilimanjaro for a few years, and Ascent has the added bonus of being a great opportunity to be part of a team raising funds in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease—a disease which has a family connection for me.”
Peter’s grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease a few years ago. “I’ll be celebrating my grandfather’s 90th birthday on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, as well as honouring him with my ascent to the summit.”
Peter is excited that his participation will give him the chance to share his family’s story about how living with Alzheimer’s affects those with the disease and their families.
Harry L Diemer
Victoria, B.C.
Click here to support Harry!
Being a lover of nature and enjoying the exhilaration of successfully meeting challenges head-on is motivating Harry Diemer of Victoria, President and CEO of the BC Safety Authority, to summit Mount Kilimanjaro.
“I’ll be turning 62 during the trek. I can send a strong message to my peers that Alzheimer’s and dementia are affecting increasing numbers of people in our generation, and that a great effort is needed now. I believe everyone, particularly older people, can make a difference toward this disease.”
“My mother was in the late stages of dementia when she passed away at 90 years of age. She was completely unaware, as best we knew, of her environment. Looking back, we realize that she was showing the early signs of dementia in her 70’s.”
Watching his mother experience dementia gave Harry a profound motivation to help eradicate this condition. “No one should go through what my mother’s last years were like. I am dedicating my trek to her memory.”
“I love the Ascent philosophy that this is a team effort. I’ve heard from previous groups that everyone rallies around to succeed together. There is great symbolism in this, because fighting Alzheimer’s disease requires a societal team effort.”
Shannon Epp
North Vancouver, B.C.
Click here to support Shannon!
Shannon Epp, a financial planner from North Vancouver, often thought that she would love to experience the unique culture of Africa. “I had this idea that maybe one day I’d ascend Mount Kilimanjaro. When my Dad was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease in 2005, and then I heard about Ascent, it brought together two very meaningful things for me It was a perfect fit!”
“Dad was only 56 when he was diagnosed. I’m an only child and spent a lot of time with Dad snowmobiling and ATVing. We can’t do those things anymore because I’ve lost the Dad I had. Essentially he’s gone.”
Shannon’s motivation for making the trek is to find a cure, or at least something that will slow down the impact of this disease.
“I wanted a little more time with Dad; soon after he was diagnosed we took a few trips just the two of us and spent as much time as we could doing the things we loved together. But there wasn’t much time."
From her own experience, Shannon now recognizes that Alzheimer’s is going to have a big impact on society, so she believes in supporting the Alzheimer Society and doing what she can to fight the disease.
“As a financial planner I recognize the importance of planning ahead, but many people I talk to haven’t thought about their future or what might be ahead of them.”
“If there is anything I’ve learned from Dad’s illness, I’d tell people not to put things off—enjoy life along the way. Mom and Dad had planned to do a lot of traveling in their retirement, but all that has changed now. I would say to people to enjoy your life today!”
Lisah Fraser
Kamloops, B.C.
Click here to support Lisah!
When Lisah Fraser of Kamloops first heard about Ascent for Alzheimer’s from a poster at her Mom’s care facility, she immediately thought, ‘I have to do this’. Doing a major trek has always been on Lisah’s ‘list of things to do before I die’.
“After being Mom’s fulltime caregiver for four years and seeing what this disease does, I am doing this trek in my Mom’s honour, and also to repay the Alzheimer Society of B.C. for all the help they’ve given us. The support and education from the Society has been such a huge help; I learned so much from them and met so many amazing people.”
Being a caregiver has taught Lisah the importance of raising awareness about the disease. “Some of Mom’s friends are intimidated by the diagnosis and are unsure of what it will mean in terms of having a relationship with Mom.”
“I think there are a lot of misconceptions about Alzheimer’s disease. People tend to think that once a person has the disease, their life is over. But people with dementia can live a long time and they still need and enjoy the support of their friends.”
Lisah’s mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 1999, and a year later Lisah decided to move back to Kamloops to be closer to her. “The last years that we’ve had together have turned out to be such a gift!”
Initially, Lisah found the idea of fundraising for Ascent daunting. “I thought, ‘how am I going to raise $10,000 dollars?’ But here in Kamloops, there is a very strong sense of community and people really get behind things like this.”
Kit Morissette
Coquitlam, B.C.
Click here to support Kit!
A senior tax manager with Deloitte & Touche LLP, Kit Morissette doesn’t have a personal connection to Alzheimer’s disease. But the Coquitlam resident feels very strongly about giving back. “My personal contribution [through Ascent] will touch other people and become a bigger, more meaningful contribution – that’s exciting!”
Kit, who enjoys travel and fitness, sees the trek as a chance to combine a passion for adventure with a great cause. “Raising money for the Alzheimer Society of B.C. is an opportunity to support so many families in our community.”
Kit trains every Saturday with two other members of the 2008 team, Angela Chang and Cliff Saito. “We do local hikes, and Angela and I are going to Peru to climb Machu Picchu in May. Besides being a great experience, it will acclimatize us and prepare us for the altitude of Mount Kilimanjaro.”
Kit heard about Ascent from two work colleagues who’d previously participated in the event, Claude Rinfret (2003) and Brandi Scales (2005). “I was really inspired to follow in their footsteps. My hope is that I will be able to pass the baton on to others and inspire them for future treks.”
Becki Paterson
Victoria, B.C.
Click here to support Becki!
Twenty-year-old telecommunications clerk Becki Paterson of Victoria describes herself as an avid traveler who loves the fact that while she’s helping to make a difference by trekking Mount Kilimanjaro, she’s also getting to see Africa!
“My mother is a nurse and works with people who have Alzheimer’s and dementia. Hearing Mom’s stories about the people and their families who are affected by the disease makes me want to do everything I can to help. If that means summitting the 7th tallest mountain to raise funds for a cure, I’m up for it!”
Becki also wants her trek to inspire others to join Ascent for Alzheimer’s, to donate, or to get involved with the Alzheimer Society so that a cure for Alzheimer’s disease become a reality.
Sue Ross
North Vancouver, B.C.
Click here to support Sue!
“Whatever you want to accomplish in life can be achieved,” says Sue Ross of North Vancouver. “Reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro has been one of my life goals for many years.”
When Sue found out about the Alzheimer Society of B.C.’s Ascent for Alzheimer’s, she cemented her plan. “This,” she decided, “ is the year it fits!”
As a registered nurse, working with people with Alzheimer’s disease and their families for the past six years has made Sue intimately aware of the challenges people affected by the disease face on a daily basis.
“I’m so excited to be part of this because I’m bringing attention to this debilitating disease as well as funding support for the families, loved ones and caregivers who give so tirelessly of themselves.”
Sue’s inspiration for joining Ascent is knowing that the money she raises will encourage early diagnosis and treatment for future generations.
Cliff Saito
Vancouver, B.C.
Click here to support Cliff!
After hearing about Ascent for Alzheimer’s from a friend who reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in 2005, Cliff Saito decided to join the Ascent team. “I’ve never been on a mountain that high, so it will be an incredible life accomplishment—plus fundraising such a large amount of money is an exciting challenge.”
A TV animation director from Vancouver, Cliff is motivated knowing his commitment will help increase awareness of the disease among the people he knows—colleagues, friends and contemporaries. He’ll also raise much-needed funds for research, treatments and support.
“My grandfather, who I never met, had Alzheimer’s disease. I never thought too much about the disease until after his death, when I realized that his illness had had such a huge impact on my family when I was young.”
Sherry Ulaszonek
Victoria, B.C.
Click here to support Sherry!
Sherry Ulaszonek, a personal trainer from Victoria, remembers reading about the first Ascent for Alzheimer’s trek in 1998. “At the time, I was inspired that people were taking on this huge commitment for Alzheimer’s disease. I thought ‘I would love to do that one day’”.
Last spring, Arlene Rees, a member of the 2007 Ascent team, contacted Sherry because she wanted help training. “Arlene really motivated me, and got me thinking that I could do this.”
“I love the analogy that the Alzheimer Society uses, that the challenges of dementia are like reaching the peak of a mountain every day. The challenge for the rest of us who are well is: let’s take on this fundraising challenge and follow through for people living with the disease.”
Sherry is trekking for two people in her life who had the disease: her father-in-law, who Sherry describes as “a man I greatly loved and admired”, and her Mom, who was “a strong and dynamic woman”.
Sherry’s Mom developed dementia after a series of strokes. “We later realized that Mom’s dementia wasn’t diagnosed for many years.” Sherry moved back to Victoria from Vancouver in 2003 to be nearer to her mother, who died over a year and a half ago.
“I inherited my Mom’s fierce independence and have always loved adventure.”
Sherry sees Ascent as a wonderful opportunity to challenge herself and inform people about Alzheimer’s. “I also hope that reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro for Alzheimer’s will set an example to my four daughters and two granddaughters that each individual can make a difference.”
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