For the second year in a row, Little Voice was extremely excited to participate in the #WalkForAlzheimers in support of the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County!

This year, not only did we fundraise for this important cause, but we also worked closely with the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa as part of the organizing committee behind this event! We were blessed to work with such amazing people, hear from so many who are affected by this disease, and ultimately contribute to a successful walk!

The #WalkForAlzheimer’s raised $370,329.00 dollars, had 130 teams and over 1000 walkers!

Why the Alzheimer Society?

Little Voice gets asked this question a lot, “Why do you fundraise for the Alzheimer Society? As a children’s book, wouldn’t you want to support a cause more in line with your book’s message?”

It doesn’t matter what your platform may be, all that matters is that you use it to make a difference. 

When Little Voice’s author set out to write a children’s book, she knew early on that she also want to set out and create a movement. She wanted to teach children to be proud of who they are and inspire them to chase their dreams. Amanda does so regularly by working with organizations such as Proud to be Me and CHEO, and by volunteering her time at various schools in her community.

On the other hand, Amanda also wanted to use this newly found platform as a way to give back and honour her grandmother. Alzheimer’s disease holds a very personal connection to Amanda’s family. Her grandmother, Teresina Bernardo, has been struggling with the disease for over twenty years. The reality is that an estimated 747,000 Canadians have Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. Over 70,000 of them are under 65 and approximately 50,000 are under the age of 60. 1 in 11 Canadians over the age of 65 has Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. In just 5 years, as much as 50% more Canadians and their families could be facing Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. Within a generation, the number of Canadians with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia, will more than double, ranging between 1 and 1.3 million people.

With both a personal connection and a desire to create an impact in her community, Amanda decided to create the Little Voice Forget Me Not Project, which donates a portion of each book sale in support of the Alzheimer Society of Canada and supports the local Alzheimer Society of Ottawa wherever possible.

For those of you who know Amanda personally, you know that she is a philanthropist at heart. While Amanda has set out personally to support the Alzheimer Society, she is always willing to find a way to support other causes and organizations in her community!

“Today was an emotional day for me, a day I wish I had my grandmother by my side.  While my grandmother and I are oceans apart, and while her memory may not allow her to remember who I am, I hope I was able to make her proud today through the work I continue to do in her name. Thank you all for your support and your donations. It truly means the world to me, my family, and all those living with Alzheimer’s disease. I hope you never take for granted the memories that shape your life and that allow you to function on a day to day basis. There are over 700, 000 people in Canada whose memories have been stripped away and whose lives have been changed forever… While today was a successful day in support of our local Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County, there is still a lot of work globally that needs to be done in order to find a cure. Please continue to create awareness on this disease and support this cause wherever possible. Together, I know we can hope for a better tomorrow!”
– Amanda Bernardo, author of Little Voice