FORGET ME NOT BALL 2024: AN UNFORGETTABLE EVENING FOR DEMENTIA RESEARCH

Could This Become Geelong's Most Anticipated Annual Social Event?

September 6, 2024

Media Summary:

- What: The Forget Me Not Ball 2024
- When: Saturday, October 19, 2024, 6:30 PM - 11:30 PM
- Where: 1915 Restaurant & Bar, PH2, 33 Mackey St, North Geelong VIC 3215
- Tickets: $195 (includes canapés, wine, beer, cocktails, grazing tables, soft drinks, and entertainment) Buy tickets here.
- Accessibility: Yes
- Dress Code: Formal, Black tie optional.
- Entertainment: DJ Tommy O.
- Media Gallery: Click to view .
- Testimonials and Personal Dementia Stories: Available on request.

Please mark your calendars for an extraordinary night of cocktails, canapés, and glamour at the Forget Me Not Ball 2024 on Saturday, October 19, at 1915 Restaurant & Bar. This groundbreaking fundraising event, conceived by ten local young professionals from the sandwich generation, endeavours to be the hottest ticket and most entertaining 'fun-draising' evening on the calendar. It has a Cocktail Casino Royale theme and a formal dress code (black tie optional).

The Forget Me Not Ball has partnered with the Barwon Health Foundation to raise much-needed funds for dementia research while fostering a community of support and awareness in the local Geelong community.

FMN Ball Committee 2024.
L to R: Kate Ward, Lizzie Larcey, Edwina Hanneysee, Ebony Ogilvie, Matt O'Kane, Jeannette Schreuders, Peta Baldaccino, Penny Whitehead.
Absent: Alexandra Boston, Matthew Elder.
Credit: Sarah Anderson.

10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT DEMENTIA

1. Dementia is an Umbrella Term
Dementia is an umbrella term that covers a range of neurological conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, Vascular Dementia, Frontotemporal Dementia, and Lewy Body Disease. These conditions are characterized by a decline in cognitive function severe enough to interfere with daily life.
- Reference: Dementia Australia

2. Prevalence in Australians Aged 70 and Over
Approximately 1 in 4 Australians over the age of 70 are likely to be diagnosed with some form of dementia.
- Reference: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

3. Dementia is the Second Leading Cause of Death
Dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, is the second leading cause of death in Australia, accounting for 9.1% of all deaths.
- Reference: Australian Bureau of Statistics

4. Increasing Prevalence
The number of Australians living with dementia is expected to double over the next 30 years, from around 487,500 in 2023 to over 1.1 million by 2058.
- Reference: Dementia Australia

5. Economic Impact
In the absence of a significant medical breakthrough, more than 6.4 million Australians will be diagnosed with dementia in the next 40 years, at a cost of more than $1 trillion.
- Reference: Deloitte Access Economics

6. Global Emergency
Dementia is recognised as a global public health priority by the World Health Organization (WHO) and has been declared a worldwide emergency by major publications such as The Economist.
- Reference: The Economist

7. Impact on Families
For every person with dementia, it is estimated that between one and three other people are directly affected by the role of caring or emotional impact.
- Reference: Dementia Australia

8. Risk Factors
While age is the biggest risk factor, dementia is not a normal part of aging. Other risk factors include genetics, cardiovascular health, and lifestyle choices.
- Reference: National Institute on Aging

9. Lack of Cure
There is currently no cure for dementia, and treatment options are limited to managing symptoms and slowing progression.
- Reference: Alzheimer's Society UK

10. Research and Funding Gap
Dementia research in Australia is underfunded compared to other major health conditions, receiving significantly less than diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
- Reference: Dementia Australia

DJ Tommy O. Image Credit: Valentin Zhmodikov @zhmodik

The Forget Me Not Ball invites all children, grandchildren, friends, and supporters of people with dementia, past and present, to an extraordinary party that includes live music by DJ Tommy O, canapés, grazing tables, entertainment, and cocktails.

The Forget Me Not Ball is not a standard fundraising event. There will be no tables, no speeches (okay, maybe just one), and out-of-this-world fun. The event features music and entertainment, blackjack tables, a live auction, and mystery surprises. Let's party with purpose!

The volunteer committee makes the event possible and is bolstered by the support of incredible local business sponsors, including Hamilton Group, Wilsons Real Estate Geelong, Grow Kindly, DXD Agency, 1915 Restaurant & Bar, Dwyer Legal, Rauland and aidacare. Support also comes from PW Strategy, Coopers Inn, Ferne Millen Photography, The Travel Notebook . The Forget Me Not Ball is gratefully supported by James and Anna Hardwick, Catherine Gray, the Mentha family and Barry and Jan Fagg.

About

The Forget Me Not Ball emerged from conversations Kate Ward found herself having too often with too many people in her circle who were grappling with the challenges of dementia. These profoundly emotional exchanges began to connect, forming a powerful movement that united ten like-minded individuals from Geelong, each with personal stories of loving - or, sadly, already having lost - someone with dementia.

This serendipitous formation quickly revealed itself as a remarkable opportunity, bringing together ten relative strangers with unique stories and extraordinary skill sets to create something truly unforgettable. Their mission is to support one another and the broader community by raising awareness and funds for dementia research.
Follow Instagram for regular updates: @forgetmenot.geelong

Mission

"We aim to make a difference by opening up early dialogue and advocating for greater awareness and understanding of the degenerative, terminal neurological disease that is dementia. Ultimately, we have found support in each other and would like to extend that support to other sons and daughters in the community if and when they encounter dementia.

We strive to demystify the disease, promote open conversations, and support research to understand genetics and risk factors. Our ultimate goal is to avoid repeating our family history for ourselves and our families' sake," says Kate Ward.

The Forget Me Not Ball is proud to partner with the Barwon Health Foundation and has a fundraising target of $40,000. The evening promises to be filled with excitement as we announce the research project our event will help to facilitate. It will also feature spot prizes, a live auction, a media wall, blackjack tables, live music, a DJ, and a lot of Carpe Diem vibes.

The Committee