Dementia Australia is excited to announce respected ABC Canberra journalist and broadcaster Adrienne Francis as its newest Ambassador.
Adrienne's appointment as a Dementia Australia Ambassador comes ahead of this Sunday's Canberra Memory Walk & Jog, which she will MC.
Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan said she is delighted to welcome Adrienne as a Dementia Australia Ambassador.
"I warmly welcome Adrienne's appointment following her dedicated support of Dementia Australia through her journalism and volunteering as MC of Memory Walk & Jog events in Canberra over a number of years," Professor Buchanan said.
"Adrienne has a deep personal connection to dementia. She has the ability to communicate complex issues with compassion and clarity combined with her lived family experience with dementia. This powerful combination of knowledge, professional skills and lived experience will help her and Dementia Australia to raise awareness and break down stigma associated with dementia."
Adrienne has supported Dementia Australia since 2023 through her reporting and involvement in Canberra Memory Walk & Jog.
Three generations of women in her family have been diagnosed with dementia, which Adrienne said was the catalyst for her supporting Dementia Australia.
"As a small child in the 1980s, I watched my mother struggle to care for both me and my grandmother, following grandma's diagnosis with dementia," Ms Francis said.
"Back then my mother was working full-time while also caring for Grandma at home. I recall that period being very emotionally fraught and challenging for Mum, as well as for Grandad and myself."
Four years ago, Adrienne's aunt passed away after living with a late diagnosis of dementia in residential aged care. The next year Adrienne's mother was diagnosed with dementia.
"There was still a lot of fear, grief, shock, sadness and worry for me in absorbing the impact of Mum's diagnosis and in trying to work out how to best support her," Ms Francis said.
Adrienne called the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500, shortly after her mother was diagnosed, to access free and confidential support and to seek referrals to services offered by Dementia Australia
"Accessing Dementia Australia's services gave us practical tools, direction, comfort and reassurance when we needed it most.
"Being named a Dementia Australia Ambassador is both a great honour and a privilege. I hope that by sharing my experiences I can offer some hope to other young working carers and families navigating the impact of a diagnosis.
Adrienne will MC Canberra Memory Walk & Jog this Sunday 22 February at Stage 88, Commonwealth Park.
Memory Walk & Jog brings communities together to raise vital funds and awareness to support people living with dementia, their families and carers. To register for the Canberra Memory Walk & Jog visit memorywalk.com.au/event/canberra.
