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News Release

February 23, 2006

Gerontology Awareness Week Set

Canada’s aging population is on the minds of a group of University of Guelph students who are working to raise funds and awareness for seniors and organizations that support them during Gerontology Awareness Week Feb. 27 to March 2.

“Our goal is to educate the public about gerontology and age-related issues. Many people don’t know what gerontology is or that U of G offers a program in this field of study,” said Raveen Kalra, organizer and president of the Gerontology Student Association. “With an aging baby-boomers generation, the elderly will soon make up a large proportion of our population and people should to be aware of their needs and the impact this will have on society.”

The week will be highlighted by a free show Feb. 28 at War Memorial Hall at 7 p.m. The event will feature Sara Westbrook, a singer/songwriter from St. Thomas who lost her grandfather to Alzheimer’s disease, who will perform One More Memory, a song about someone living with Alzheimer’s. This will be followed by If Not Now... When?, a play performed by Act II Studio, a Toronto-based theatre school and creative drama centre for people 50 and older. The play was developed in collaboration with the Ontario Coalition of Senior Citizens' Organizations.

In addition, the Gerontology Student Association will sell scarves and baked goods Feb. 27 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Macdonald Institute lounge, March 1 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the lobby of the MacKinnon Building and March 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m in the University Centre. Proceeds will go the association and Help the Aged Canada, an international development organization that works to meet the needs of elderly people living in poverty in Canada and in the developing world and. At each of those sales, there will also be “Unforgettable” bracelets for sale to benefit the Alzheimer’s Society of Guelph-Wellington.

For more information e-mail gero@uoguelph.ca.