Bernadette Bosanac, Ida Neidrich and Pamela Jackson.
Camera IconBernadette Bosanac, Ida Neidrich and Pamela Jackson. Credit: Supplied/David Broadway

Maida Vale model raising funds for Alzheimer’s WA

Staff WriterHills Avon Valley Gazette

MAIDA Vale model Pamela Jackson invited her peers to pose for a 1940s-themed calendar to raise funds for Alzheimer’s WA.

The theme of the calendar reflects the heyday of women in nursing homes, many of whom are living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related illnesses.

The calendar will be launched at a high tea event on Sunday, October 29 at Crown Towers, Burswood.

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AFL champion and former West Coast Eagle Glen Jakovich will share his deeply personal story at the event about his mother, Mary, who lived with dementia for more than three years before her death two weeks after her 70th birthday in 2010.

Alzheimer’s WA estimates there are more than 39,600 people living with dementia in WA and without a medical breakthrough, that number is estimated to reach 69,000 by 2050.

Aged care provider Rosewood hopes to raise awareness of early onset dementia in younger women by supporting the fundraising drive.

The Academy award-winning 2014 film Still Alice, which tells the story of a linguistics professor diagnosed with familial Alzheimer’s disease shortly after her 50th birthday, inspired the theme.

“I remember sitting in the cinema thinking: this is a woman around my age suddenly learning to live with such a debilitating and life-changing illness,” Ms Jackson said. “It really hit home. I had to do something. It resonated so deeply with me.”

Ms Jackson, who has had relatives live with dementia, enlisted the help of friends along with photographer David Broadway to create the series of photographs.

Proceeds from the calendar will be donated to Alzheimer’s WA.

The calendars and high tea tickets are available to buy online from Alzheimer’s WA and at the event.

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