Former MP Bob Wood says, “Everybody is afraid to talk about it and it is time we brought it out in the open.”
Wood, recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at age 78 is referring not only to his own journey with dementia but that of countless others.
He will take the stage at the Look, Listen and Laugh (Because Dementia Sucks) fundraiser this Friday to give a brief address prior to the J Houston Band playing at 7:00pm.
Doors open at 5:30pm with a dinner menu available. The foyer will feature the work of artists. At 6:30pm, those in attendance will have the final say about whose image air-brush artist Jeff Marceau will reproduce during the evening. Choices will be featured online at www.smalltowntimes.ca where a silent auction of art is underway and will remain open until September 21.
Contributors include potter Keith Campbell, painter David Carlin, photographer and artist Donna Cushing, painter Brett Trach, stained glass creator Bea Lockhart, potter Pat Stamp and private lesson certificates from piano teacher Christine Fortin and Jack Lockhart, among others. All proceeds to help the Alzheimer Society in North Bay increase respite care hours for families “living the dementia journey.”
For more on the event’s live auction, click here.
“It happened to me, it could happen to you, it could happen to any member of your family at any time,” Wood says about the disease that leads to memory loss, difficulties with thinking, problem-solving and language severe enough to reduce one’s ability to perform everyday tasks.
Dave Dale organized the fundraiser because his father has dementia and the family benefited from respite program services in Sudbury.
Dale has retired from The Nugget through a voluntary buyout program and is also one of the local stand-up comedians entertaining from 8:00pm to 10:00pm before Johnny Rock and daughter Kelsey take the stage.
Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door, and tables of eight are $180 (with a charitable tax receipt available for $100).
Tickets can be purchased Cecil’s Brewhouse and Kitchen or contact Dale at 705-498-2050 or [email protected]. Donations can also be made directly to the Alzheimer Society, just reference North Bay respite care on either the cheques or when contributing online at www.alzheimernorthbay.com.
