15 June 2019; Pictured at the launch of the Tipperary v Limerick Legends Hurling Clash in aid of The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, which will be held on Saturday, September 7th 2019 (5.00pm Throw-In) during World Alzheimers Month 2019, are, from left, Gerry Quaid, Dementia Advocates, Ciaran Carey former Limerick star, Kathy Ryan Dementia Advocate, Mairéad Dillon Head of Fundraising ASI and Kevin Quaid at Semple Stadium in Thurles, Tipperary. The match will be held at Nenagh Éire Óg grounds and is being organised by two leading dementia advocates Kevin Quaid and Kathy Ryan who both have a dementia diagnosis. Tickets will be available on Eventbrite. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***
Two leading Munster dementia advocates, Kevin Quaid and Kathy Ryan, who both have a dementia diagnosis, have called on the public to rally behind a Tipperary v Limerick legends hurling match in aid of The Alzheimer Society of Ireland as they launched the fundraising initiative at a packed Semple Stadium this week.
The fundraising drive, which will see legends from the Munster titans face-off to raise vital funds and much-needed public awareness of dementia, will be held during World Alzheimer’s Month 2019 on Saturday, September 7th at Nenagh Éire Óg grounds (5.00pm Throw-in).
Tickets for the event, which has the backing of the GAA Tipperary and Limerick County Boards, can be purchased via Eventbrite at €15 for adults and kids going free with all the money raised going towards providing community services and advocacy supports in the Munster area and beyond.
Kevin, who is originally from Broadford in Co Limerick but now living in Kanturk, Co Cork, was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia in 2017 aged just 57, is an avid GAA fan and speaks about the fighting spirit of the Limerick hurling team and the fact they never gave up. He brings that same spirit to his life with dementia and has written a book called ‘Lewy Body Dementia, Survival and Me’.
Kathy Ryan was diagnosed with Younger Onset Alzheimer’s in January 2014 at the age of 53 and is a mother to two boys and lives in Cashel, Co Tipperary. Kathy got involved in advocacy work because she wants to break down the stigma of dementia and last September she completed part of the Camino to raise funds for The ASI.
This fundraising initiative was the brain child of the dynamic duo, Kevin and Kathy, over a cup of tea when they were discussing ways to give something back to The ASI after everything the charity had done for them – so the inaugural ‘Kevin Quaid and Kathy Ryan Legends Cup’ was created which will bring Tipperary and Limerick hurling legends of yesteryear together to battle it out for the prize come September. Hurling legends such as Joe Quaid and Ciaran Carey have signed up already. Hurling legends such as Joe Quaid and Ciaran Carey have signed up already.
Member of the Southern Dementia Working Group (SDWG), Kevin Quaid said:
“I love hurling and played, coached and loved watching Limerick win the All-Ireland final. My second cousin is the goalkeeper on the team. I watched the final in local pub in Limerick; I wanted to be with my people. I really enjoy going to the pub a lot – I feel that we are all the same when we are on the bar stool. I want to make a difference and with this legends match to shatter the stigma around dementia and to raise money for vital supports and services. There is a stigma around dementia; there is no doubt about it. That’s why we are hosting this match – to step out of the shadows. People should not feel embarrassed or ashamed about dementia. A way that I fight this stigma is be very open with people in my own community about having dementia. I always tell people. And, when I tell them, I find that they just treat me the same. I really want people to get behind this fundraiser – buy a ticket yourself or buy one for a friend. Just come down and support us and the Tipperary-Limerick hurling legends this September.”
Vice-Chair of the Irish Dementia Working Group (IDWG), Kathy Ryan said:
“The vast majority of people diagnosed with dementia want to live in their own home and stay active and involved in their own community. In order for this to happen we need our communities to become more dementia aware, to understand some of our needs. This hurling legends match is a perfect way to bring dementia into the heart of the community. When a community is dementia aware, it makes the difference between us living as well as possible or staying at home behind closed doors, which has a hugely negative impact on our health and wellbeing. The funds raised from this match will help people with dementia in the community – I am so grateful to the Limerick and Tipperary county boards in particular for getting behind this game and all the warm wishes from both counties and beyond that we have received so far. I really hope the public will get behind us and support the legends match. I am really looking forward to it. Come on Tipperary!”
In total there are an estimated 13,746 people living with dementia in Munster. There are 2,013 people living with dementia in Limerick and 848 people living with dementia in in North Tipperary and 1,054 people living with dementia in South Tipperary.
It is estimated that there are 55,000 people living with dementia, in Ireland and for every one person with dementia three others are directly affected. The number of people with dementia is expected to more than double over the next 20 years to 113,000 in 2039. There are an estimated 50,000 carers of people with dementia in Ireland.