Celebrities and community leaders are joining together in the fight against dementia.
Hawthorn Football Club’s Sam Mitchell; acclaimed singer, songwriter Mark Seymour; legendary actors Terence Donovan and Anne Phelan; radio presenter and media personality Denis Walter; former leader of the Australian Democrats, Lyn Allison, Alzheimer’s Australia Vic Chief Medical Advisor, Associate Professor Michael Woodward; business leader and Alzheimer’s Australia Vic Chair, Graeme Samuel AC have together committed to raising awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia as Alzheimer’s Australia Vic’s inaugural Ambassadors
The CEO of Alzheimer’s Australia Vic, Maree McCabe, said the Ambassador program is an important step forward in raising much-needed awareness of dementia and its impact on the more than 330,000 Australians currently living with illness.
“We are honoured that these great Australians are willing to share their personal experience and knowledge about dementia to support the role of Alzheimer’s Australia Vic as the peak body in Victoria advocating for people living with dementia their families and carers,” Ms McCabe said.
“We thank them all for their commitment to help raise awareness and understanding of dementia in the community and we look forward to working with them to do just that.
Sam Mitchell will officially step into his new role at the Alzheimer’s Australia Vic charity dinner A Night To Remember on Saturday 17 May at the RACV City Club.
“Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are often misunderstood in our community. My mother-in-law was diagnosed with younger onset Alzheimer’s around the time we were due to have twins.”
“Valda passed away before our little girls celebrated their third birthdays. Prior to these events I was naïve to many of the issues surrounding dementia.
“Everyone deserves to live their life with dignity and raising awareness about dementia is a small way of helping those affected with the illness to be treated with compassion, understanding and care.
“As an Ambassador for Alzheimer’s Australia Vic, I hope to help both the people living with dementia and contribute to much greater support for those that have loved ones dealing with the disease,” Sam said.
Sam Mitchell, Terence Donovan and Graeme Samuel will step out in their role at the annual Alzheimer’s Australia Vic A Night To Remember charity dinner on Saturday 17 May at the RACV City Club, Melbourne.
