Afternoon skate to raise funds for Alzheimer's Society
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The Alzheimer Society of Windsor and Essex County is hosting a Skate for Alzheimer’s afternoon fundraiser in conjunction with the 1926 National Skate Day for Alzheimer’s on Jan. 14.
Founded by Steve McNeil, whose mother died of the disease, 1926 National Skate Day for Alzheimer’s is named after the year of her birth — 1926.
McNeil has skated 34 marathons of 19 hours and 26 minutes each to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s disease.
In 2022, due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, McNeil skated in eight Ontario communities including Garrison Petawawa, Kingston, Windsor, Peterborough, Niagara, Toronto, Orillia and Bracebridge.
The 61-year-old mailman is skating in Kingston this year, from 12:01 a.m. to 7:26 p.m. As he knows he will not always have the stamina to skate eight to 10 marathons each winter, he’s aiming for 100 skating parties to be held on Jan. 14 across the country.
McNeil is also calling for the second Saturday in January to be the 1926 National Skate Day for Alzheimer’s and invites folks to donate $19.26 to local Alzheimer Societies.
Windsor’s skate party will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Lanspeary Lions Ice Rink, 1250 Langlois Ave.
The Alzheimer’s Society estimates there are 8,560 people currently living in Windsor and Essex County over the age of 40 with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.
More than 100 years after the discovery of the conditions, there is still no known cause or cure.
For further information, contact the Alzheimer Society of Windsor and Essex County at 519-974-2220 or visit Steve McNeil’s website at 1926skate.com
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