The Dementia Momentum One Year Anniversary

The Dementia Momentum One Year Anniversary
The Dementia Momentum One Year Anniversary

The Dementia Momentum reached its first anniversary on 25 March 2016 and celebrated with KPMG Sydney hosting a second corporate cocktail event on 25 February to launch the Wipeout Dementia video.  Partner John Teer delivered a heart-warming speech on behalf of KPMG and confirmed their ongoing support of the initiative. 

To date The Dementia Momentum has raised over $1.9 million in philanthropic donations, an achievement made possible by the generosity of the Members, Friends and in-kind supporters that have joined this initiative.

“We are thrilled by the success The Dementia Momentum has achieved this far,” said Co-Directors Professors Henry Brodaty and Perminder Sachdev. “With dementia posing an enormous burden on society, we are very encouraged by the corporate and community response we have received and look forward to building on this in the coming years to change the future of dementia incidence.”

Founding Members of The Dementia Momentum include Mr Phil Cave and Mrs Judy Harris (Platinum Members), the Roth Family Foundation (Gold Member), and Teal Members: The AMP Foundation and Ms Pamela Madafiglio.

Since then, Members of The Dementia Momentum have grown to include the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation (Platinum); Silver Members: Colliers and IPH Limited; Bronze Members: Flight Centre, Genworth, Kennards Hire, Morgans, Sandler (Easy Step) and Mrs Jan Surnicky; and Teal Members: realestate.com.au Pty Ltd and Watson Mangioni Lawyers.

In-kind contributions have been received by ARIA Restaurant, Breathe Fire Specialised Training, Hurley, HWL Ebsworth Lawyers, Sprout Daily, Queenscliff Surf Life Saving Club and Surfing NSW.  KPMG has generously hosted two events, including the launch of The Dementia Momentum and The Dementia Momentum’s One Year Anniversary. 70 Friends of The Dementia Momentum have also generously donated to the cause.

Pivotal to the success of The Dementia Momentum has been the unwavering support and involvement of Spokesman for The Dementia Momentum, Richard Grellman AM.

“Richard’s decision to help shape the future of dementia incidence in Australia following his wife Suellen’s struggle with early onset Alzheimer’s disease is inspiring,” said Professor Brodaty.

“Not only has he motivated corporate Australia to help change the social and economic burden faced by dementia, through his involvement in our Wipeout Dementia campaign he is a role model for the importance of cardiovascular health for positive ageing at an individual level.”

Wipeout Dementia is CHeBA's corporate surfing fundraiser driving awareness in physical activity for brain health and raising funds for The Dementia Momentum. Two events were run in 2015 raising close to $170,000 and generating widespread media coverage, as well as the support and involvement of former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who also spoke at both events at KPMG, and NSW Premier Mike Baird.  A third event is planned for May 2016.

The Wipeout Dementia video was launched at the KPMG-hosted anniversary by Spokesman Richard Grellman as part of an awareness and outreach campaign to increase physical activity to reduce dementia risk and drive philanthropic funds into research. 

The significant funding gains for The Dementia Momentum represent an excellent start towards the goal of raising $10 million over five years into the risk and protective factors for dementia. 

“This funding is vital not only to understanding the worldwide risk and protective factors, but also for identifying and targeting at-risk groups. Starting from 2016, we will test intervention strategies for the modifiable lifestyle factors identified to reduce dementia risk,” said Professor Brodaty.

“With the end-goal of wide-scale societal change, continued support from the corporate, philanthropic and wider community is vital to the success of The Dementia Momentum and the future of dementia in Australia.”

 

The Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing welcomes corporate and individual interest in The Dementia Momentum. To become a Member, an in-kind supporter or Friend of The Dementia Momentum, please email heidi.mitchell@unsw.edu.au or call (02) 9382 3398.

For more information visit www.thedementiamomentum.org

Communications Contact

Communications contact: Heidi Douglass, Communications and Projects OffierHeidi Douglass
Team Lead – Innovations & Communications
T 0435 579 202
E h.douglass@unsw.edu.au