Page 35 - QARANC Vol 15 No 2 2017

The Belfast Marathon 2017
Run for Alzheimers
Never one to turn down a challenge, it was over the festive period that I tentatively posed the suggestion to my sister and cousins that we should complete the Belfast Marathon as a relay in 2017. Now, a relay is obviously not the full thing but, for 3 of our family members, running was something you did after the ice cream van! The answer was not absolute... but amongst other replies a certain, maybe (I could also see that spark of excitement in their eyes!). I suppose for some running the relay or indeed the marathon is commendable but ‘so what’? For many years now I have been an avid supporter and fundraiser for Alzheimer’s Society and witness the incredible work they do. There are currently nearly 36 million people with dementia in the world but as many as 28 million of those living with dementia worldwide do not have a diagnosis. The numbers of people living with dementia worldwide is expected to double every 20 years. By 2050 it is projected there will be 115 million people with dementia worldwide, 71% of whom will live in developing countries. Dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, has overtaken heart disease as the leading cause of death in England and Wales (Alzheimer’s Society, 2017).
Having lost a family member, our dear Nanda, Willie Haslam (mums father) to Alzheimer’s and experiencing at close hand the traumatic effect it had on not only him, but all close to him was brutally heartbreaking. Losing someone before they are gone. I knew that if I could just raise a little bit of awareness and some funds along the way it may go some way towards the necessary research and care Alzheimer’s (Dementia) sufferers need. Tragically, last year the QARANC Association NI Branch lost one of our longest serving members, Pam McMillan, to Alzheimer’s also. Pam joined the QARANC in the late 70s. Here she enjoyed the training and the opportunities offered. She loved
Celebrating the finish Major Kerry McFadden-Newman ARRC with daughters Caoimhe and Teagan, running for Alzheimers
THE GAZETTE QARANC 33
the camaraderie, the fun and was the life and soul of the Mess. In 1994 her potential was realised when she was promoted to Lt Col as Matron of “204 Field Hospital”. When Pam retired as Matron in 1997, she continued her interest in the Army Reserve Forces working with the Cadets until 2013. Pam was instrumental in setting up the QARANC Association Branch in Northern Ireland in 2008, becoming Chairperson until 2013.
During Pam’s life, she involved herself in many organisations including the Royal College of Nursing, the Northern Ireland Hospice and the Multiple Sclerosis Society. She was a true professional devoting her time and energy to improving standards of care for patients and carers alike.
It was in 2013 that Pam became unwell and in 2014 was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Her illness progressed quickly resulting in her needing full-time care initially at home and subsequently in a nursing home. It was only fitting then that not only would we be running in memory of Nanda but also Pam. I took this to the QARANC Association NI Branch Committee who very generously paid for our entry fee. This was given in lieu of the Association donating to Pam’s chosen charity. Now of course with the date looming and entry fee paid there was no going back. We set up a little chat group exchanging stories about our running activities for the week and how we were all feeling. A couple of sessions
together worked well when we would meet, run and naturally relax afterwards with a glass of wine and pizza (only on a couple of occasions!!). This challenge had such a positive effect for so many reasons. The most fitting was raising funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s and the devastating effect it can have plus awareness about The Society and all the fabulous work they do. It also encouraged us to get out and train, increasing our fitness and benefiting our health and brought us as a family together. Where normally we wouldn’t see each other for months we were suddenly swept up in the marathon mayhem. This can only be of benefit in the prevention of diseases such as Alzheimer’s. So, now that they all have seen the wonderful effect training for the marathon relay has had, bring on the half marathon in September 2017!!
Maj Kerry Mcfadden-Newman ARRC 204 Fd Hosp
The ‘Team’ running for Alzheimers in the Belfast Marathon 2017