Balloons raise dementia awareness
THE Ipswich sky was dotted with turquoise coloured spots on Saturday as Ipswich dementia campaigners released 100 balloons to raise awareness of the deadly disease.
Led by dementia awareness campaigner Debbie Phipps, friends, family and supporters gathered at Queens Park for the second balloon release.
Mrs Phipps hoped the event, held for the first time last year, would continue to push their case for increased funding to find a cure.
Dementia affects 280,000 Australians, and by 2050 the number of people suffering from the disease is expected to reach one million.
Mrs Phipps said since beginning to campaign for the cause last year she had educated many people unaware of the devastating effects of dementia.
"A lot of people are really happy and have learnt things about dementia they didn't know about. A lot of people don't know much about it," she said.
"It's that support and knowing someone else cares and understands."
Among the supporters on Saturday was Patti Gerchow, who watched her mother succumb to dementia symptoms.
"She started roaming and would end up at other people's homes and would forget her name," she said.
"It was a concern because she lived in her house by herself. We were lucky because she had really good neighbours."
Mrs Gerchow said the symptoms could often be played down as just getting old.
"I know with my mum a lot was put down at the time because she was old and getting forgetful. But it was a lot worse than that."
Mrs Phipps said dementia was now recognised as a National Health Priority Area by the Federal Government.
"Dementia is not a disease of the old, nor is it a natural part of aging. As I look around I see many friends who are going through the same as me with their loved ones with dementia, and also very dear friends who have already lost loved ones to dementia."
