To mark World Alzheimer’s Day observed on September 21, the Rotary Club of Bangalore Downtown in association with Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI), Bangalore Chapter, and Nightingales Medical Trust organised ‘Bengaluru Race’.
The campaign, in tune with the global campaign on Alzheimer’s awareness, sought to make people talk about dementia and end the stigma by recognising and accepting the disease. This is part of a series of awareness programmes rolled out since 2016 to make “Bengaluru a dementia friendly city by 2025,” said Radha S. Murthy, managing trustee of Nightingales Medical Trust.
The race required participants to deduce clues, navigate within various areas of Cubbon Park through the use of Metro rail only, and locate five historical locations in the park. The participants had to take selfies at the historical locations mentioned on the envelope, which they received at the start of the event, and complete the race and return to the starting point.
More than 600 people participated. The event was flagged of at 9.15 a.m. from St. Joseph’s Institute of Management, M.G. Road. Youngsters, dressed in purple T-shirts, made their way through the metro rail and inside Cubbon Park. The event helped create awareness about Alzheimer’s disease among the participants and onlookers. Awareness pamphlets were distributed throughout by volunteers deputed at various clue points. Prize distribution was done at the conclusion of the race.
What is Dementia?
Dementia is a progressive neurodegenerative brain disorder that affects memory, language, problem-solving abilities, and progressively affects the ability to function independently. The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease.