In many ways Lindsay Lehr is a typical 12-year-old. She loves hanging out with friends, playing sports, drawing and taking singing lessons. But Lindsay’s compassion and determination to make a difference in the lives of others sets her apart.
The Grade 6 student has raised $5,600 for the Alzheimer’s Society of Calgary. She took up the cause in 2004 when her grandmother, Miyuki, died from the disease. As Lindsay’s aunt, uncle and cousins cared for Miyuki thousands of miles away in Toronto, she developed a keen awareness of how Alzheimer’s disease affects families. “I thought my mom may get it and would forget my name and who I am,” says Lindsay. “I didn’t want that to happen, so I decided to sell my drawings to teachers and friends to raise money for the disease.”
With the help of her mother, Lindsay also approached the Alzheimer’s Society of Calgary to inquire about selling her artwork. The society had two of her pictures made into greeting cards, which Lindsay took door-to-door in her canvassing efforts. Half of all funds goes toward research and finding a cure, while the other half supports families who have a loved one with the disease, helping to pay for home care, respite and education services. “I like art and wanted to help find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, and with my work I get to do both,” says Lindsay. “If we all do a little bit, we can all accomplish a lot and have a big impact.”
Lindsay will donate part of her Me to We Award money to the Alzheimer’s Society of Calgary and the rest to help build a garden at her grandmother’s former care centre.
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