Ulster Rugby vs Cardiff Blues

ALZHEIMER’S SOCIETY Alzheimer’s Society champions the rights of people living with dementia and the people who care for them. Through our work we support people to live well with dementia today and fund research to find a cure for tomorrow.

cannot receive the support, information and treatment they need to live well with dementia. Liz Cunningham, from Belfast, was 48 years old when she was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s: “I was still working as an IT teacher when I first started having worries about my memory and when I went to the Doctor, they thought it was just the menopause. I became very emotional, distraught and I couldn’t even form a sentence without crying - I never thought it would be dementia.

There are currently 19,765 people in Northern Ireland living with dementia, with that figure set to rise as the population ages. We have more than 135 local services and we rely on voluntary donations to provide these. We provide information and support to people through our National Dementia Helpline, CrISP (Carers Information and Support Programme), Dementia Advisers and Support Workers, Dementia Cafes, Befriending, Carer Support Groups and our innovative Singing for the Brain groups. We are dedicated to

“A year later I was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s at 48 years old. I am now 52 and my life has changed dramatically since my diagnosis. I can still do things, but I just have to find different ways of doing them. There is definitely life after diagnosis and I’m proof of that - you just need to pace yourself and not panic.

defeating dementia through pioneering research, and fund an innovative programme of research into the cause, cure, care and prevention of dementia. By 2017, we aim to spend at least £10 million a year on new research projects that will make a real difference to people’s lives.

“Dementia can be a very isolating disease - I’m lucky that I have a lot of support from my husband and family and of course, the Alzheimer’s Society. This support has helped me create a new more positive life that has made my life worth living.” MEMORYWALK This year’s Belfast Memory Walk was the biggest and best it’s ever been! Almost 3,000 people of all ages enjoyed the late autumn sun and walked around the Stormont Estate in Belfast. The annual event is a chance to remember loved ones, with people choosing to ‘walk for’ grandmothers, grandfathers,

We demand a better future for everyone affected by all forms of dementia and with the help of our members and supporters we campaign for change that will improve all aspects of care and support. To find out more about Alzheimer’s Society, please visit alzheimers.org.uk or call 028 9066 4100 ‘DON’T KEEP IT UNDER YOUR HAT’ Alzheimer’s Society is urging people worried about their memory ‘Don’t Keep It Under Your Hat’, which kick-offs at a special themed charity match tonight against the Cardiff Blues. Supporters are asked to wear a hat as a conversation starter, encouraging people to talk and support the campaign - the funkier the better! Many of us notice that our memory gets worse as we get older, but it can be difficult to tell whether this is a sign of an underlying condition like dementia. Alzheimer’s Society is encouraging people to seek help as soon as possible. There are nearly 7,000 people with dementia in Northern Ireland who don’t have a formal diagnosis and without a diagnosis they

wives and husbands affected by dementia. The event has already raised over £120,000 to help fund Alzheimer’s Society vital services across Northern Ireland. The walk was officially started by Ulster Rugby’s Craig Gilroy, who attended with his family. Every year the success of the Memory Walk is dependent on fantastic volunteers who help with marshalling, registration and countless other tasks. We would like to thank everyone who took part and everyone who supported this year’s Memory Walk. ULSTER RUGBY CHARITY PARTNER 2015/16

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TO DONATE CONTACT OUR CUSTOMER CARE LINE ON 0330 333 0804 OR VISIT WWW.ALZHEIMERS.ORG.UK/DONATE