Dementia event returns to Geelong for 2024

HUNDREDS of residents are expected to gather at Eastern Beach Reserve on Sunday for this year’s Memory Walk & Jog in Geelong to help beat dementia.

Lara residents and sisters-in-law Jess Mahon and Sinead Stevenson will be among those walking or jogging for loved ones touch by dementia, while raising funds and awareness for vital support services like counselling, support groups, education, and research to help find a cure.

Ms Mahon’s mother, Sue, was diagnosed at the age of 55 two years ago, 10 years below the average age of dementia diagnoses, which came as a shock to the family after living such an active lifestyle.

“We noticed signs quite a bit earlier, but they weren’t significant enough for us to worry. My dad and her retired at the same time and both their lives had slowed down,” Ms Mahon said.

“At the time we were told by experts and doctors it wasn’t Alzheimers and it was not dementia, their lifestyles were changing, things were moving a bit slower, and that made sense to us at the time.

“Then it hit us when the signs became worse, and she was diagnosed with dementia.”

Ms Mahon alongside Ms Stevenson took part in their first Memory Walk & Jog last year, raising close to $8,000 as a team from donations between friends and family.

This year they are hoping for as many people they know to attend this year’s event as part of “Team Sue”.

Fundraisers for this year’s Geelong event have raised over $100,000 across 30 different teams, slowly approaching this year’s funding objective of $127,000.

“People want to help, and people want to do something,” Ms Stevenson said.

“It’s a horrible thing, dementia, but there are things we can do to make some sort of difference and for this year’s approach, we’re just encouraging as many people as possible to register for the event and to donate if they want to.

“All we can do at the moment is raise funds, raise awareness, and live in the moment.”

Sunday will also be Sue’s 57th birthday, making the day even more special for her family.

Ms Mahon says her mother continues to live an active lifestyle and plays a major role in her family.

Participants can complete one of three course options. A 2km walk, a 6.5km walk or jog, or an 8.5km timed run along Geelong’s Waterfront starting from Eastern Beach.

Dementia Australia, the event’s organising body, says there are more than 104,000 Victorians living with dementia and is the biggest cause of deaths among women, as well as the second leading cause of death across the country.

If you would like to donate to Jess’ fundraiser, head to memorywalk.com.au/fundraisers/jessicastevenson or simply register to take part in the event at memorywalk.com.au/register/geelong