A ball for awareness

Fourth annual Memory Ball held at Palais Royale, raising funds for the Alzheimer Society of Toronto

The fourth Memory Ball was held this past Saturday night at Palais Royale, on Lakeshore Boulevard. The annual charity event joined people of all ages to raise awareness and discuss the severity and impact of Alzheimer’s disease.

It is estimated that Alzheimer’s will affect nearly 50 per cent of men and over 70 per cent of women, with different impacts at different ages.

Carolyn Poirier, co-founder of the Memory Ball and director of Corporate Sponsorship and Awareness, shed light on the creation and purpose of this charity event:

“Memory Ball was started in 2012… to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is not just a disease that affects people who are in their 70s or 80s. It can affect people that are in their 50s, their 40s — really in the prime of their lives.”

The Palais Royale was filled with ball gowns and tuxedos, as everyone enjoyed the open bar, the silent auction and raffle of donated items and services from yoga classes to signed sports apparel, and the live music. But despite the fun, everyone was aware of the reason and purpose of this ball, and the seriousness of need to discuss and combat Alzheimer’s disease.

“This is really important. We are all here tonight to support the Alzheimer Society of Toronto. They are a wonderful organization that has impacted the lives of dozens of people in this room, let alone the whole city. It’s an honour to be here and to help, to raise awareness to the cause and being one step closer to finding that cure,” said Amanda Logan, on-air personality at Z1035 radio and guest host of the Memory Ball.

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By: Jonathan Costa
Posted: Apr 9 2015 10:44 am
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