The Alzheimer Society of Durham Region’s Whitby branch recently hosted a memorable Winter Olympics Parade on February 4, 2026, that has captured the hearts of many worldwide. A video of the event has gone viral, garnering over one million views globally.
The event, organized by The Social, a group of men who meet weekly for social activities, was filled with energy, enthusiasm, and pride. The group created homemade flags, discussed their home countries, and even had a torchbearer march to rousing music, with staff members cheering them on. The event was held at the Alzheimer Society’s Whitby location at 1600 Stellar Dr.
A short video of the Olympics Parade was posted online, and it quickly gained traction. The video has since been shared by major organizations including CBC, the Paralympics, Canadian Tire, Sobeys, and The Today Show, along with coverage in Germany.
Gillian Barrie, CEO of the Alzheimer Society of Durham, expressed her delight at the unexpected attention the video received. “Dementia is not just a local issue; so many people are impacted by it,” Barrie said. The Social is a half-day program that offers social activity, peer-to-peer connections, and well-being activities for individuals living with mid-stage dementia, while also providing respite for caregivers.
Barrie highlighted that the Social program, which started in 2023, is donor-funded and operates without government support. The program has been in high demand, and there is currently a waitlist for enrollment. The Alzheimer Society runs nine Social programs across Durham Region, including locations in Whitby, Ajax, Courtice, Claremont, and Cannington. With 12,000 people currently living with dementia in Durham, Barrie anticipates that number will grow to over 20,000 in the next few years.
