Print
Email
The 2008 Ascent for Alzheimer's Team
Darcy Bender Vancouver, B.C.
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, 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.”
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.
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.
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!”
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.
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.”
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.
“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.
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.
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.”
Team Members
Darcy Bender
Angela Chang
Peter Debay
Harry Diemer
Shannon Epp
Lisah Fraser
Kit Morissette
Becki Paterson
Susan "Sue" Ross
Cliff Saito
Sherry Ulaszonek
Updates from the Mountain:
Thursday, September 4, 2008
From Marangu Village, Tanzania, Africa
Today, the 2008 Ascent for Alzheimer’s team is one step closer towards the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, and the anticipation is rising. “Everyone is emotionally excited,” said Cam Ross the team physician, on the phone from the Marangu Hotel in Tanzania.
Having arrived, gear in tow, to Tanzania the previous day, the ten members of the Ascent for Alzheimer’s team awoke in Marangu village to cool weather, with a daytime temperature expected to warm up to 25 degrees Celsius.
The excitement to start day one of the trek is palpable through the phone lines, “We haven’t seen the mountain yet because the sky was cloudy today,” explains Cam.
Lisah Fraser, who was celebrating her 48th birthday with “several toasts from the other team members” at the time of our call, had glimpsed the infamous peak of Kilimanjaro days earlier—a fitting birthday gift.
“This is a journey that has indeed changed my life,” explained Lisah after spending three days traveling in Tanzania before her trek.
Located on the north side of Mount Kilimanjaro, the village of Marangu sits amidst rainforest and coffee plantations. It is the village—and specifically the Marangu Hotel—that is home base for our Ascent team.
The team spent the day touring the village of Marangu. “We visited the children at the village school and were thrilled to give them a donation toward much needed supplies,” Cam explained.
Later, the team did a full gear check and met with Seamus Brice-Bennett, one of the teams’ local guides and the owner of the hotel, to go over their trip plan and review other necessary details. And lastly, after their medical checks with Cam, the team was feeling “good to go.”
The team will start their summit of Mount Kilimanjaro tomorrow morning. On day one, they will set out by jeep to Nalemoru Gate (6,000’) and then start their hike towards First Cave, where they’ll spent their first night on the mountain.
“The report this morning says that it’s cold at the top of the mountain, around minus 25 Celsius, but it is supposed to warm up,” said Cam.
The telltale sign that the team is embracing the warmth of the East African culture? They sent a communal “jambo” (Swahili for “hello”), to family and friends in Canada.
The next call home from the team is scheduled for tomorrow after they settle in for the evening.
Friday, September 5, 2008
From Marangu Village, Tanzania, Africa
The ancient volcano now lying dormant, Kilimanjaro rises from plains at approximately 6000 feet, to its summit, Uhuru Peak at 19,340 feet.
The 2008 Ascent for Alzheimer’s team set out this morning from the Marangu Hotel, and traveled by jeep over the dusty dirt road to Nalemoru Gate, just south of the Kenya-Tanzania border.
Beginning their ascent, at 6,000 feet, the team is taking the Rongai route up the northeast side of the mountain. On Day One, they made a three-hour trek, traveling through maize fields, rocky pine forest, and moorland dotted with heather.
“The terrain was so diverse today, and we saw Colobus monkeys along our route,” said team physician Cam Ross.
Rongai provides nearly constant views of Mawenzi and Kibo, two of Mount Kilimanjaro’s three peaks. Uhuru Peak, where the Ascent team will summit, sits at the top of Kibo.
After raining over night, the skies opened and the sun shone down on Manwenze and Kibo peaks up ahead, giving the team a spectacular view of what awaits them. “It was a sunny day here with fantastic views of the mountain,” said Cam.
At this altitude, daytime temperatures range from 5 degrees Celsius to 18 degrees Celsius with frost normally encountered at night.
The team reached First Cave (8,500’), where they will spend their first night on Kilimanjaro. “We had a fantastic first day, and we’re all here at camp having tea with clean hands and feet after washing with bowls of warm water, ” laughs Cam.
With the success of Day One completed, the team is relieved and relaxed. “Seamus Brice-Bennett, our guide, is smiling, and everyone is feeling well,” shares Cam. “We’re a happy lot here, everything is going really well—give our love to everyone,” Cam said as he signed off from the mountain.
We’ll hear from the team next on Sunday, September 7th from Mawenzi Tarn (14,200 feet).
Monday, September 8, 2008
From Mawenzi Tarn, Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Africa
“The sun is just setting and it is glorious,” shares team physician Cam Ross on the satellite phone from Mawenzi Tarn where the Ascent team is setting up camp.
Mawenzi Tarn (14,200 feet) is an alpine lake—the only permanent one on Mount Kilimanjaro’s slopes; their camp is set up on its shore with the jagged peak of Mawenzi towering above.
“We just had spaghetti and meatballs for dinner with the spectacular backdrop of Mawenzi peak,” describes Cam.
Today was a long day—the team hiked 2400 (feet) of rocky terrain. As they proceed higher, they will pass through semi-desert progressing into total desert and finally into an alpine region with permanent ice glaciers. The higher slopes are covered with scree, loose stones resembling gravel, making it more difficult to negotiate.
Nearing the summit of Kilimanjaro, the lungs can only absorb half the amount of oxygen compared to sea-level. A few team members are feeling the altitude with headaches and nausea. “This is the highest any of them have ever been.” said Cam. “Staying here for two days will definitely help get everyone acclimatized for summit night.”
The team spotted geckos skittering over the rocks, and they were also treated to a sighting of a rare vulture today. “There are only about five of these birds known to exist on Kilimanjaro,” said local guide Seamus Brice-Bennett.
“The friendship walking stick has been a great companion, encouraging us every step of the way, especially when it gets difficult,” shared Cam.
Each year at the send off party in Vancouver, the Ascent team is presented with a friendship walking stick, handcrafted for each team by local artist Chris Knowles, to accompany them on their mountainous journey; a challenge that reflects living with dementia.
Team member Peter Debay, who is summitting Kilimanjaro in honour of his grandfather who has Alzheimer’s disease, made an important phone call today. “I called my grandfather in Nova Scotia and wished him Happy 90th Birthday,” said Peter.
Team member Angela Chang’s grandmother was just diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease three months ago—until then she had no relationship to the disease.
On Tuesday, the team will move onward toward Kibo Hut (15,400 feet). Passing Manwenzi, they will enter the Saddle—a desolate stretch of alpine desert that stretches toward their goal of Kibo peak in the distance. The team will arrive at Kibo Hut mid-afternoon, and will rest until midnight, when in the darkness, they will begin their ascent of Uhuru Peak.
“The team is determined and feeling strong as we look toward summit night,” said Cam signing off from Manwenzi Tarn.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
From Horombo Hut, Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Africa
“Spectacular, the view from the summit was absolutely gorgeous; the early morning light was shining down on the glaciers, and standing above the clouds, we could peek at the plains of Tanzania far below,” said an excited Cam.
The 2008 Ascent for Alzheimer’s team have stood on what must feel like the top of the world, at Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. They reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro at 19,340 feet in the early morning light; high above the world, in the dizzying altitude.
“It was snowing as we crossed the Saddle, but later as we neared the top, the snow stopped and it was a beautiful, clear night—we felt we could have touched the stars,” said team physician Cam.
When we talked to the team today, they had trekked for a grueling fourteen hours to reach their goal. “It was very emotional for all of us at the summit—lots of photos, smiles and tears,” said Cam. Their five-day trek—taken one step at a time, symbolizes and supports the journey that faces families adapting to the reality of dementia.
“They are all in their tents now, either resting or sleeping,” shared Cam.
After crossing the Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks on Tuesday, the team rested for the remainder of the day, in preparation for their final ascent. Awakened at 11:30 pm, in the cold, dark night, they began their move upward on the steep, rocky path through stone skree, and patches of snow, toward the summit.
“The sun rose just as we arrived at Gillman’s Point (18,760 feet)—it was breathtaking,” said Cam.
After a brief stay at the summit, the team made a six-hour (7140 feet) descent to Horombo Hut where they are camping tonight. Tomorrow they will begin their descent to Marangu, and the next time we hear from them, they’ll be back at the Marangu Hotel.
“This is the hardest challenge any of these people have been through, it’s been a fantastic success and we’re all elated,” said Cam.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
From the Marangu Hotel, Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Africa
After the exhilaration of the summit, the team members descended to Horombo Hut last night in the dark, passing the main glaciers that edge down the slopes of Kibo: Heim, Rebmann, Decken, and Arrow.
After breakfast, the team hiked a further 22 km to finish their descent, arriving in the evening at Marangu Gate, where they traveled back to the Marangu Hotel by jeep.
“Our first priority at the hotel was a beautiful shower, but for one person their main concern was a large Tanzanian beer,” giggled the exuberant team physician Cam. “This group was amazing, some of them persevered through shortness of breath, headaches and more.”
“Cam is an incredible doctor and an incredible leader, he took care of all of us,” said Kit Morissette, one of the team members who experienced altitude sickness on the mountain.
Feeling proud of their team triumph—ascending more than 13,000 feet to summit Mount Kilimanjaro—the team members, their voices shaking at moments, shared their personal feelings over the satellite phone this morning.
“It was a thrill of a lifetime, shared Peter Debay. “I’m coming home full of stories and memories of this life-affirming experience.”
“When I saw the sign marking the summit of Uhuru Peak (19,340 feet) it was surreal. Even though I’m sore and exhausted, it was a wonderful experience,” said Becki Paterson.
“It strips you right down to the bare bones,” shared Darcy Bender, “but we had a lot of fun, and today I feel elated.”
“That was a mind-opening experience that we made as a very cohesive group; we encouraged each other each step of the way,” shared Harry Diemer.
Ascent for Alzheimer’s is a unique event that requires an enormous team effort. The level of commitment from the ten trekkers, and the team of porters and guides who make sure they make it to the top, make this amazing event possible.
“The journey for these ten people starts long before the mountain—the training, the fundraising, the support of their family, friends and colleagues—then finally facing the mountain,” said Sandra Girard, the event organizer from the Alzheimer Society. For many, this experience has brought out strengths they didn’t know they had.
“It was really tough,” said Shannon Epp. “And it was cold—it was minus 20 degrees Celsius at the top—but it’s been a phenomenal personal accomplishment.”
“The best part was making it to the top with an amazing team of people,” said Angela Chang.
“I feel fabulous,” said Sue Ross, “Tell my family I love them.”
Each team member has their own personal porter who carries their gear; another crew of porters carries food, cooking supplies and the camping equipment. “The porters made our trek much easier; at some particularly grueling moments, they spontaneously started singing to us along the trail to inspire us,” said team member Cliff Saito.
Gathering in the garden of the hotel this evening, the team, guides and porters had a celebration ceremony where the porters sang songs to the team, and each team member was presented with their summit certificate. Finally, there were many toasts to each other and their victory for Alzheimer’s disease.
“Over the last week I have watched each of these people put their hearts into this trek for Alzheimer’s disease,” said local guide Seamus Brice-Bennett who has accompanied most of the Ascent journeys.
Lisah Fraser, who traveled to the small village of Kondoa in Tanzania before her trek, plans to continue fundraising for Africa, “this experience has changed my life.”
Many of the team members will travel or set out on safari before returning to Canada over the next few weeks.
(NB: Weather conditions may impact the team's schedule. All dates and times noted are given in Tanzania time unless otherwise noted.)
