It is with enthusiasm and great emotion that I accepted the honorary presidency of the 2008 edition of the Rona Memory Walk in the RCM of Rimouski-Neigette. This event, which will take place on Sunday May 25, 2008, aims to collect funds in order to increase the services provided, in our region, to individuals suffering from Alzheimer's disease as well as their loved ones.
In Rimouski, the organizing committee is busy preparing the event, recruiting volunteers, looking for sponsors as well as walkers. I invite you to participate in the Walk by registering for $10. In order to facilitate the participation of families, there are no registration fees for youth under the age of 16.
However, if you wish to make a greater contribution to this cause, I invite you to ask the organization you work for as well as your acquaintances to support your efforts. To do so, you must commit yourself to collecting $200 or more and becoming an "elite walker".
Our goal in the RCM of Rimouski-Neigette is to recruit 100 walkers, including at least 20 elite walkers. This would enable us to collect $6000.
I sincerely hope that many of you will share this information with your colleagues, acquaintances and loves ones. Alzheimer's disease affects nearly 102,200 individuals in Québec, of which nearly 5,000 are in the Bas-Saint-Laurent and between 800 and 1,200 are in the RCM of Rimouski-Neigette. These individuals suffering from this disease are often a parent, a loved one, a friend or a colleague.
May 25, 2008 will be a festive gathering where people will enjoy being together. We hope that you will be among us and that together we will be able to make a difference for those suffering from Alzheimer's as well as for those who care for them. Thank you for your generosity.
Louise Thibault
Member of Parliament for Rimouski-Neigette-Témiscouata-Les Basques
