Who: The Alzheimer Society of Canada and Ramp Communications

What: A new digital and social awareness campaign, “Yes. I live with dementia. Let me help you understand.”

When: The campaign, which broke Jan. 7, coincides with Alzheimer’s Awareness Month.

How:  A dedicated website, called ILiveWithDementia.ca, chronicles the lives of Canadians working to eliminate the stigma typically associated with a dementia diagnosis. They include 81-year-old Ron Robert, a former advisor to Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, who went on to earn a degree in political science after his diagnosis, and is now completing a research paper on the benefits of education for people with dementia.

Why: According to the Alzheimer Society, more than 500,000 Canadians are living with dementia, a number that is expected to reach nearly 1 million in less than 15 years as the population ages and lifespans grow longer.

And we quote:  “We’re turning the conversation over to the experts. We believe sharing the stories of Canadians living with dementia will fuel a more open, supportive and inclusive dialogue around dementia, and give confidence to others who have this disease to live their best lives.”  – Pauline Tardif, Alzheimer Society of Canada CEO