The 2009 Ascent for Alzheimer’s teams


Jennifer Brown - Surrey, BC

Jennifer became familiar with the work of the Alzheimer Society of B.C. when her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's a number of years ago. As the disease had more and more of an impact on her family and friends, she decided to join the 2009 Ascent for Alzheimer’s team as a way of encouraging her dad.

On a personal level, Jennifer sees the climb as a means to strengthen her own character and convictions. “I enjoy helping my community and volunteering, and I hope to bring this same dedication to being an active team member.”

The team spirit that is a hallmark of the annual Ascent event is also attractive to Jennifer. “I like the idea that we are doing this together as a team, and the reward that will come from us working together to help the community to conquer this disease.”

Jennifer is a strong believer in life-long learning and will be using this climb to learn how to hike up a mountain and make a positive impact at the same time. “Through my fundraising, training, and finally trekking, I hope to encourage those who are struggling with this devastating disease.”

She beautifully sums up her reasons for joining Ascent: “Because I care”.

Jane, Aly and Salim Devji - Delta, BC

The Devji family feels a close connection to the Alzheimer Society of B.C. and those impacted by the disease because the family has run Delta View, a dementia-related care facility, since 1991.
Originally from East Africa, Jane and her sons Aly and Salim are excited to join the 2009 Ascent team to fulfill personal goals of reaching the top of the tallest mountain in Africa.

For Jane, however, the journey has already started. She did the trek when she was younger than her sons are today, and is now thrilled to have the chance to join her two adult children on the same trip that impacted her own life so greatly.

Having followed past climbs in the media over the years, the Devjis have always had an interest in this journey. For this family, reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro is an icon of achievement, symbolizing the upward struggle each person with Alzheimer’s faces.

The Devjis feel strongly that raising funds for Alzheimer’s will help researchers better understand the disease and will eventually lead to a cure. As a family, they hope to draw attention to the journey that families, caregivers, and people with the disease must follow.

“We are looking forward to giving back to society.”

Jordan Willms and Lindsay Snell - Vancouver, BC

Jordan Willms and his fiancée Lindsay Snell joined the Ascent for Alzheimer's 2009 team to trek Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa for a number of reasons: to climb, to overcome obstacles, confront challenges, and to reach the summit in honour of those who have been challenged by this disease.
Specifically, they are hiking in memory of Jordan’s mother, June Willms, and for all the loved ones that keep her in their hearts.

Jordan has been volunteering for the Alzheimer Society of B.C. for a number of years in various capacities, and he and Lindsay have been eager to complete Ascent for Alzheimer’s for quite a while.
“It's an incredible challenge to reach Africa's highest peak at 19,340 feet,” said Jordan. “The fact that the trek represents the mountainous struggles faced each day by people with dementia and their caregivers makes it very meaningful.”

Jordan and Lindsay hope that through fundraising and the climb itself, they can help raise awareness for Alzheimer’s and have their contribution go towards researching new ways to combat the disease.

Brenda Yamanaka - Vancouver, BC

Brenda Yamanaka was initially inspired to trek Mount Kilimanjaro by her colleague, Dale Rondeau, who climbed with the 2001 team. This quiet but adventurous resident of Vancouver, who enjoys hiking, decided she couldn’t resist the challenge.

Brenda is committed to reaching Mount Kilimanjaro’s summit to support the Alzheimer Society of B.C. and their mission to alleviate the personal and social consequences of the disease, and search for a cure.

She also sees Ascent as a great way to get the word out about the rising numbers of people with dementia and the need to get more funding for this disease. “Right now, not everyone knows someone with Alzheimer’s. But with our aging population, that situation is changing.”

“Alzheimer’s isn’t as talked about as other diseases. I want my efforts to encourage others to get involved and put Alzheimer’s on their list of worthy causes.”

Brenda recognizes that Alzheimer’s and dementia have a drastic impact – not only those who have the disease, but also on their family and their friends.

“I want my trek and fundraising dollars to help everyone who is affected—the people living with the disease and their caregivers—so they can be better prepared for the challenges they will face as the disease unfolds over many years.”

“If my joining the Ascent for Alzheimer’s team means that people will take the time to learn more about this disease, then it will be worth every step of my journey.”

Rowena Anderson - Vancouver, BC

Rowena is proud to be a member of the 2009 Ascent for Alzheimer's team. Leading the Fund Development department at the Alzheimer Society of B.C., Rowena asks individuals, corporations and foundations to support the work of the Society.

“Joining the team allows me to demonstrate my own individual commitment and to more personally join in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.”
Even though her own family has not been impacted, Rowena has watched many families struggle through the journey with dementia.
Through her work at the Society, she has the privilege to meet people from all across the province who are affected by this devastating disease. “I am touched by their courage, strength and faith. The perseverance of people with the disease will be my own inspiration on this journey.”

Rowena is excited that Ascent is an opportunity to pursue her own philanthropic goals. “I’m honoured to play a small part in the Society’s vision and I believe that one day we will see a world without Alzheimer's disease.”

Shirley and Peter Bonner - West Vancouver, BC

Their personal experience with a brain disorder is what motivated Shirley and Peter Bonner to set their sights on Mount Kilimanjaro. About two years ago, Shirley was diagnosed with MCI (mild cognitive impairment), which has caused the loss of some aspects of her brain’s functionality.

“Through the process of diagnosis and treatment we met people at the Alzheimer’s Clinic at UBC and at the Alzheimer Society of B.C. We appreciate the valuable support they provide for individuals and families who are living with mild cognitive impairment and dementia.”

Having heard of Ascent for Alzheimer’s, the Bonners thought summitting the highest peak in Africa to support the Society was “a natural fit”. At the same time they are excited to “experience the personal reward of undertaking such a challenge”.
Shirley has been an avid hiker and outdoors person all of her life and has twice climbed in the Himalayas, even getting Peter to join her on one expedition.

Through their own journey with MCI, Shirley and Peter have come to understand just how significantly this disease can affect your life and those around you.

“Joining the 2009 Ascent team means our efforts will contribute to finding a cure, and to supporting the services provided by the Alzheimer’s Society of B.C. for those who are dealing with the reality of this debilitating disease.”

Don Depratto - Cornwall, ON

Don Depratto lives in Cornwall, Ontario where he’s worked as a geriatric outreach nurse in the eastern part of the province for the past 12 years. Don helps nursing home staff, residents and families to better understand and cope with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

“In 1990, I became one of the growing number of Canadian families having to face the long journey with Alzheimer’s disease,” he explains. Don’s mother-in-law lived with Alzheimer’s for nearly 15 years, living with Don and his family for a year and a half before her admission to a nursing home, where she lived for four years. She passed away in January 2001.

For many years, Don and his wife Sylvie have rallied friends and family annually to participate with them in Coffee Break—an annual fundraiser for the Alzheimer Society—to honour the memory of Sylvie’s mother.

“The events, programs and services provided by the Alzheimer Society are a great support for families who are living a similar journey.”
In the spirit of giving back to his community, Don has also been a board member with the Alzheimer Society of Ontario for the past eight years. “In June 2003, as Board President, I had the opportunity to attend a function where CBC reporter Susan Ormiston shared her own very moving experience of Ascent for Alzheimer’s.”

Since listening to Ormiston’s presentation, the idea of taking the Ascent challenge returned to Don often. Having made the commitment, he feels proud to be a member of the Ascent team and to fundraise for a cause that is very dear to him and his family.

“This is my way to stand up, fight back and honour my mother-in-law, and to help bring us closer to a cure.”

Christina Pilgrim - Guelph, ON

Christina Pilgrim, a senior recreation programmer who lives in Guelph, Ontario, first heard about Ascent for Alzheimer's four years ago, when her colleague, Sue Brown took part.

“I’m excited about making a positive impact and showing support for an illness that has touched my family, and the families of those I work with.”
Christina made the decision to join the 2009 Ascent team this past summer when her grandmother, Rita Rudiger, started losing her ten-year battle with Alzheimer's disease. Rita passed away at Thanksgiving.

“I’m climbing as a tribute to my grandmother. I’m also dedicating my climb to the individuals and families I work with at St. Joseph's Health Centre in Guelph.”
Spreading awareness about the disease is a big motivating factor for Christina. “As the baby boomers age, more and more families are going to be relying on the support of the Alzheimer's Society.”

Making the ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro represents the uphill struggles that families and individuals affected by Alzheimer's face every day.

“My hope is that by reaching the summit, I will also be a symbol of the joys and successes that still happen every day for people batting the disease.”

 Deb and Jim Yeates - Vancouver, BC

Deb and Jim Yeates have made the commitment to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, to support their good friends Shirley and Peter Bonner – also members of this year’s Ascent team.

Two years ago, Shirley was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, a brain disorder that has caused the loss of some aspects of her brain’s functionality.

Deb and Jim are excited to be able to be there with Shirley when she succeeds on her quest for the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Together with the Bonners, Deb and Jim look forward to facing the mountain to support the Alzheimer Society of B.C. and their research for a cure.

"A deep friendship motivates us to conscientiously prepare and train for this adventure and rise to the challenge of fundraising for this important cause that touches so many lives."

Michael-James Pennie -
Langley, BC

Most of you know me as an upbeat and positive person. What you probably don't know is that my family and I have been coping with a debilitating disease that has afflicted an immediate family member over the past several years. It's a secret that I've kept from even some of my closest friends.

Back in 2003, my father, Jim, was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease. Our personal lives have never been the same. I never wanted to burden those close to me with my challenges, although there was a nagging instinct inside of me that refused to go away. I had to do something. I became inspired to share my story. I became inspired to be proactive to help not only my father, but those other families affected.

As an active volunteer and vibrant contributor to the community, my Dad was the president of both my hockey and soccer associations simultaneously growing up. Now, some days he wakes up and forgets I'm his son. This for us is an every day reality.

My inspiration led me to unconventional action. What could I do to raise awareness? I needed to do something on a grand scale, so I decided to join the Ascent team and climb the tallest mountain in Africa - Mount Kilimanjaro.

I am going to climb a physical mountain for my father and every other individual and family that has been touched by Alzheimer's disease. These people climb emotional and mental mountains higher than Kilimanjaro on a daily basis.

Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro will be the easy part. Raising the funds and creating awareness for the cause is the challenge and I cannot do it alone – thanking you in advance for your support.