What Legacy Do You Want to Leave?

 Join the Alzheimer Society of Toronto in celebrating Les and Marijane Dakens' remarkable $5 million dollar legacy commitment

TORONTO, May 22, 2015 /CNW/ - The Alzheimer Society of Toronto is thrilled to announce they have received their largest gift intention in history. Les and Marijane Dakens made a generous $5 million dollar commitment in their Will to benefit the Society. This generosity has inspired the launch of the Alzheimer Society of Toronto's new Leave a Legacy Education Series.

"I saw the impact Alzheimer's disease had on my family and the life of my mother. My wife and I decided that we wanted to support the Alzheimer Society in our Will to honour her and change the face of this disease in the future," says Les Dakens, member of the Board of Directors and annual major gift donor. "Our legacy will be something future generations can look to and be inspired to take action of their own."

On Monday May 25, 2015, the Alzheimer Society of Toronto is hosting a recognition event to celebrate the Dakens' significant legacy bequest and the contributions of other generous donors.

Les and Marijane Dakens already support the Society's work through their annual major gift pledge contribution.  Attending Monday's event will include Ben Kolisnyk, PhD Student, Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, who will speak about his current work and the impact of the gift on future research as well as Cathy Barrick, CEO, Alzheimer Society of Toronto. The work of Kolisnyk and his team is funded by the Dakens.  

"We're grateful to have such a generous and meaningful commitment made to our organization," says Barrick. "Les and Marijane's gift will encourage others to give and help us create a world without Alzheimer's disease."

Why does this matter?

Today, over 43,000 people in Toronto are living with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementias. Support from the community is integral to meet the demands of the growing population facing this disease.

To learn more about the Les and Marijane Dakens legacy gift, media interviews are being held at the Alzheimer Society of Toronto's office on Monday May 25, 2015 from 12 noon  to 2:00 p.m. Please contact Tina Barduhn, [email protected] to confirm your attendance.

May is Leave a Legacy Month
The Alzheimer Society of Toronto will partner with allied professionals in the community to offer a series of complimentary workshops on topics such as financial literacy, knowing your options and the tax advantages of philanthropic giving.

To register for an event, visit www.alz.to/legacy or contact Kimberlee Waymann [email protected]

About the Alzheimer Society of Toronto
The Alzheimer Society of Toronto provides free counselling, education and information to people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, their families and caregivers. We deliver specialized training and professional development for frontline health-care providers, as well as public education and awareness events. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's disease.

Website: www.alz.to Facebook: Alzheimer Society of Toronto Twitter: @AlzToronto

SOURCE Alzheimer Society of Canada

Media contact: Tina Barduhn, Director, Community Engagement, Alzheimer Society of Toronto, 416-640-6320, [email protected]