PHOTOS: Community comes together for White Rock’s Walk for Alzheimer’s
Published 1:15 pm Wednesday, June 17, 2026
White Rock and Surrey came together on May 30 to raise awareness and raise money for the Alzheimer Society of B.C. and Yukon.
Held at Memorial Park and along Marine Drive in White Rock, this annual fundraiser welcomed about 400 participants, with approximately 250 registered walkers taking part in the accessible two-kilometre route along the promenade.
The event featured many speakers, information booths, a fun pre-event warmup and a community of people with stories to share. Many participants wore name tags on their shirts reading “I’m walking for…” followed by the name of a loved one, adding a deeply personal layer to the day.
In total, the community raised more than $56,000 for people living with dementia and their families during the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s, presented by Go Auto, surpassing the event’s $50,000 fundraising goal.
Heather Martin, White Rock volunteer chair for the event, said the money raised will go to support programs, education, support services, and research through the Alzheimer Society of B.C. and Yukon.
This walk is the society’s flagship fundraising event and the largest annual community fundraiser, taking place in 19 communities across the province.
“Truly at the heart, the walk is about people,” said Janet Hutzel, associate director of corporate partnerships and engagement with the Alzheimer Society of B.C. and Yukon.
Hutzel shares that every person in attendance has a story. “Often times they’re there to walk for someone they love, maybe someone they’ve lost, someone they are caring for or themselves personally that have been affected by dementia.”
Among those stories this year was South Surrey resident Mark Breslaw and his family, who were the honourees of this year’s event.
Breslaw was diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease in 2025 and has since become an advocate, sharing his lived experience through the Alzheimer Society of B.C. and Yukon’s education and awareness initiatives.
“It was a very cool honour and which ended up being beyond my expectations in terms of how that day felt,” Breslaw shared with Peace Arch News after the event.
Breslaw, his wife, Shonna, and oldest son, Jacob, all spoke to attendees prior to the walk. The family shared that they were moved to be surrounded by people who understood and cared deeply about the cause.
“We discovered a community that showed up, that wrapped their arms around us and reminded us that even in the hardest of moments, we do not have to walk alone,” reflected Shonna Breslaw in her speech.
“Every person here has their own reason to walk. Every story is different. But today, I find comfort that our paths are all coming together,” Mark Breslaw told the crowd.
The White Rock walk is organized by a committee of local volunteers, led this year by Martin. She shared that months of planning were put into this walk and helped make this event possible.
She also thanked the City of White Rock and noted the participation of White Rock city councillor Susan Bains, who also spoke to the crowd and participated in the event.
“It’s really important that we do have these events in the community and that people participate so that they can get awareness and also help,” said Martin.
Hutzel explained to Peace Arch News that two out of every three people are affected by dementia in some way, whether through a diagnosis, caregiving or knowing someone living with the disease. She says that more than 85,000 people in B.C. are living with dementia, and that number is expected to nearly triple by 2050.
She added that awareness is important, and coming together for walks like these not only helps fundraise for a good cause but also strengthens the community’s connection.
Donations for this year’s walk will continue to be accepted until June 30 and can be done at support.alzheimer.ca.
Learn more about the Breslaw family’s story here.