Sea of support

St. James - Assiniboia

River Park South

Receiving an Alzheimer’s diagnosis often brings on a wave of emotion. Desolation, distress, diffidence. But Manitobans living with dementia, and their families, can expect a blue wave of supportive people waiting to be the community, camaraderie, and compassion needed at an uncertain time.

The 2026 Walk for Alzheimer’s is happening on Saturday, May 30 at the Lyric Theatre in Assiniboine Park — and the blue shirts worn by participants will seemingly flood the park.

“I came around the corner, and was stunned at the amount of blue shirts,” said Erin Crawford, CEO of Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba, of her first Walk for Alzheimer’s experience.

“We hear often (that living with Alzheimer’s) can be isolating and lonely. One beautiful thing about the walk is we’re all here together,” Crawford said.

“People show up because they don’t always know how to help, and this is how they can help,” she said.

The Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba provides services, research, and support to those affected, either personally or as an affected family member, with a goal of “helping people navigate the disease through advocacy, education, and research,” Crawford explained.

It offers support groups, one-on-one counselling, gentle fitness, and other programs with various groups in Winnipeg.

For Gary Garbutt, a spokesperson for the Alzheimer’s Society, the support groups feel like family. He calls his weekly meetings with the support group his “happy place.”

Garbutt, 80, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s dementia in May 2025. This is his second year walking with his group, Gary’s Groupies.

His goal is to help other people communicate about the disease.

“Once you talk about it, it becomes easier for everyone,” said Barb Taylor, Garbutt’s partner of 35 years.

“I’ve seen the change since he became a spokesperson. Now he’s comfortable being open, he’s OK telling his story,” she said.

“Everyone’s so friendly. The atmosphere of it, you couldn’t not smile,” Garbutt said, describing the walk.

“All of these fundraisers support people like us,” he said.

Check in on May 30 will begin at 10 a.m., where you can expect to see a stage, families, dogs, and tents with information. The walk begins at 11 a.m. It’s a walk-at-your-own-pace loop around the park, with hot dogs and music waiting at the end.

To support Gary’s Groupies on their walk, register with a group, or as an individual, visit alzheimers.mb.ca