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.
To read more about Dementia Australia’s Patrons and Ambassadors visit dementia.org.au.
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Dementia Australia is the source of trusted information, education and services for the estimated more than 446,500 Australians living with dementia, and the more than 1.7 million people involved in their care. We advocate for positive change and support vital research. We are here to support people impacted by dementia, and to enable them to live as well as possible. No matter how you are impacted by dementia or who you are, we are here for you.
For support, please contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. An interpreter service is available. The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government. People looking for information can also visit dementia.org.au
Media contact: Andrea Hogan, Media Relations and Communications Manager, 0406 904 118, [email protected]
When talking or writing about dementia please refer to Dementia-Friendly Language Guidelines.
Note to Editors:
We request, where possible, details for the National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 appear alongside news stories about dementia, as these stories often prompt questions or concerns:
If this story has prompted any questions or concerns, please call the National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 (24 hours, 7 days a week) or visit dementia.org.au.