Despite being a physically active and healthy woman, Ms Hanckel’s mother was diagnosed with dementia at 71-years-old, joining an estimated 5600 others in the Illawarra living with the condition.

The event raises much-needed funds to support the work of Alzheimer’s Australia NSW, which provides support, education and resources for people living with the their carers, family and friends.

As an intensive care nurse the realities of illnesses are part of everyday life for Ms Hanckel.

However, she said nothing can prepare you for an illness in your own family.

“As the eldest sibling, I feel responsible and want to be able to cure things and make things right, but sometimes you can’t, you just have to be there and do the best you can,” she said.

“When I found out mum had dementia, I thought a few strange things she did suddenly made sense and I did some research, but it has taken my family a while to get used to it.

“People just think Alzheimer’s is part of getting old, but it’s not, it’s a disease.”

Ms Hanckel said a key element of the walk was to educate people about the condition.

“They say to keep an active mind, stay physical and socialise,” she said.

“Dementia is just an umbrella term for the illness; below that is various types and forms of dementia. 

‘‘A person can have parts of one type and also parts of another.” 

In Australia more than 332,000 people have dementia and this number is projected to reach more than half a million by 2030.

“We need to educate people now because with greater advances in medication we’ll see a lot more dementia diagnoses,’’ Ms Hanckel said.

‘‘It will be a huge problem because people are living longer.’’

The Illawarra Memory Walk and Jog will take place at Stuart Park, North Wollongong on Sunday, October 12. 

Participants can choose between the two-kilometre or 7.5-kilometre walk, or run the 7.5 kilometres to help Alzheimer’s Australia reach its target of $80,000.

There will be prizes for the top fund-raisers and best dressed, as well as raffles, entertainment, food stalls, jumping castle and a guest appearance by the Al the Elephant mascot. 

For more information or to register, visit the www.memorywalk.com.au/illawarra website.