Broad TV, radio, print & online media coverage in September helped raise awareness of childhood dementia. Childhood Dementia Day was on 20 September 2023. Alongside media coverage, people, businesses and schools took part in the colourful FACE it awareness push.
Some of the coverage in September is featured below.
Today Show 18 September 2023
'This can't happen to us': Family devastation at toddler's shock diagnosis
Features Childhood Dementia Initiative CEO, Megan Maack, with Brett Colley and Sarah Matthews, parents to Charlotte.
Global coverage
Childhood dementia was reported on in a range of global media and languages including Norwegian, Pidgin and Portuguese.
BBC News World Service September 2023
Featuring Family Advocate, Renee Staska, along with Childhood Dementia CEO, Megan Maack and Head of Research, Kris Elvidge.
This story was covered in multiple languages as part of the BBC News World Service, including this story in Spanish. It featured family experiences, the impact and prevalence of childhood dementia and the need for improved research and support.
7 News 20 September 2023
The new campaign shedding light on childhood dementia.
Interview with Childhood Dementia Initiative CEO, Megan Maack, on Childhood Dementia Day.
“If you know dementia in an older person, you actually know dementia in a younger person."
Sydney Morning Herald 18 September 2023
Charlotte is just two, but has dementia. Few know her condition exists
This piece included an interview with Brett Colley and Sarah Matthews, parents to Charlotte.
“I’m a lawyer for a living, but I feel like I’ve never had to advocate as I have had to do, to get Charlotte to stand out and to say this isn’t something that she’s going to grow out of,” Matthews said.
SBS TV News 18 September 2023
Ange is only 19, yet she’s struggling to survive an ‘older person’s disease’
“For five years I've been sleeping in her room with her, and on high alert."
- Niki Markou, mum to Angelina who lives with childhood dementia.
7News Sunshine Coast 20 September 2023
“Childhood dementia exists and we need action and we need a cure.” - Family Advocate, Louise Jessop, who shared her story with 7News
A regional Queensland mother grieving the loss of her 12-year-old son has bravely told his story to spread awareness of childhood dementia. https://t.co/YReZ2eFXSp @ha_teya #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/bZpwDep0PG
— 7NEWS Sunshine Coast (@7NewsSC) September 20, 2023
SBS News Radio 20 September 2023
On air interview with Gail Hilton, Head of Programs, Childhood Dementia Initiative, calling for improved awareness and increased awareness.
“We are calling for increased investment in childhood dementia. We need large scale investment into research and we also need the government to highlight children in the upcoming National Dementia Action Plan to ensure that children are included in policy and care systems going forward in the dementia space."
