My dad was diagnosed with early onset dementia in 2011. He was 62 at the time and since then his mental, physical, and speaking abilities have slowly deteriorated.

One of the hallmarks of my dad was his high-energy and loud personality. In his career prime, my dad was a senior executive overseeing a team that sold memberships to help wealthy Chinese people travel around the world to play golf and sail yachts. As a young boy, I remember how fascinated I was when I saw my dad give pep talks to his 100-person sales team or close important business deals over dinner.

It is hard for me not to get a little sad when I contrast that to my dad’s reality today where his brain is being eaten away by dementia and his old way of being slowly fades.

Witnessing my dad's health decline right in front of my eyes has been the toughest challenge in my life because it has placed me in a position of helplessness and lack of control.

Through this, though, I believe that my dad has been teaching me an important life lesson: be grateful. I am grateful that my dad is in Toronto (not in China where he lived for 18 years) so that me and my family can see him regularly. I am grateful that my dad is alive and under the care of top-notch doctors, nurses, and caregivers. And I am grateful that my dad is not in pain and is able to smile every day.

The question most people ask me when they learn of my dad's health is whether he still recognizes me. It is hard to answer because he does not speak much. He shakes his head and can mumble a few words, but, truth be told, I haven't had a cogent conversation with him in years. When I visit him, though, he often greets me with a warm smile and I can’t help but believe that my dad is telling me that he recognizes me, loves me and that everything will be ok.

On April 24, 2016 I will be running the London Marathon and dedicating the race to my dad and the millions of people living with dementia.

I am currently fundraising $10,000 for Dementia Concern - a 30-year old registered local charity that provides support to 700 people with dementia and their caretakers. For every $50 we are able to raise for Dementia Concern, we will be able to provide five hours of care for a person with dementia and run a self-help support group for 10 caregivers.

I invite you to join me in supporting people living with dementia, their families, and caregivers by giving to Dementia Concern via my fundraising page https://www.justgiving.com/justinpang.

Regardless of whether you choose to give, I sincerely thank you for all your love and support over the years in helping me stay optimistic, grateful and at peace.

Love,

JP