Facing a dementia diagnosis in the prime of life<\/p>\n
Published 2:51 pm Friday, April 3, 2026<\/p>\n
Father in his 40s honoured at walk for dementia on May 31<\/p>\n
For Mark Breslaw, the first warning signs of dementia were subtle: forgetting and mixing up people\u2019s names \u2013 things he could easily attribute to the demands of raising a young family and his fast-paced job as senior human resources director with Electronic Arts. But when he got lost driving home from work three separate times within a two-month period, he knew something was wrong.<\/p>\n
Breslaw is nothing short of inspiring. Diagnosed with younger onset Alzheimer\u2019s disease in 2025, the now 49-year-old father of three chose to face this new reality head on. He is keen to share his story, fight stigma and make a difference in the lives of others affected by dementia.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy story isn\u2019t my own anymore,\u201d he says. \u201cIt belongs to everyone who carries their own story. It\u2019s humbling and rewarding to share it and have people respond with gratitude for putting it out there and enabling them to take something positive away from it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Breslaw and his family are being honoured at the Alzheimer Society of BC and Yukon\u2019s largest fundraiser, the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer\u2019s<\/a>, presented by Go Auto, in White Rock on Sunday, May 31.<\/p>\n By sharing their stories, honourees put a face and voice to dementia, breaking down stigma and inspiring change. You can walk in honour of your community\u2019s honouree or in support of someone in your life who has been affected by dementia.\u00a0Funds raised help the organization deliver vital programs and services and enable critical research to change the future of the disease.\u00a0<\/p>\n Calling the organization\u2019s First Link\u00ae Dementia Helpline marked a major turning point during a period of uncertainty for Breslaw.<\/p>\n \u201cThe person on the other end of that line told me something I will never forget: \u2018It doesn\u2019t matter that you don\u2019t have a diagnosis. You belong here.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n The call and follow-up changed everything, Breslaw says. He finally felt less alone.<\/p>\n \u201cMost people in B.C. know someone affected by dementia, but not everyone knows how to get help,\u201d says Michael Hladun, Senior Vice President for Go Auto. \u201cThat\u2019s why Go Auto is thrilled to continue as presenting sponsor for the Walk. We want to connect more families facing a diagnosis with the quality dementia education and support programs they need \u2013 and we want everyone to join us. Anyone can make a difference by walking with us.\u201d<\/p>\n Read Breslaw\u2019s story and learn how to join a Walk near you.<\/a><\/p>\n