Anything for Alzheimer’s spotlight: A pinch of dough, a legacy of love

Every Friday, for a couple of hours, Tarn Tayanunth’s kitchen would come alive with the sound of laughter, the soft thud of dough hitting the counter and the sweet, familiar rhythm of family.

It was a cherished ritual for Tarn and her mother, Toom, who lives with dementia. Side by side, they would roll dumplings - flour dusting their hands as stories flowed between them. What started as a simple cooking session became something much deeper: a connection, a lifeline.

“I loved having my mom here helping,” Tarn says. “For the first few years, it really helped her stay engaged and happy. She had routine, something to look forward to and it gave her a sense of purpose.”

Originally from Thailand, Tarn moved to Victoria when she was 14 and built her life - a career in the city’s restaurant industry. But when Toom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease 15 years ago, everything shifted. Tarn became one of her mother’s primary caregivers, determined to bring joy and structure to her mother’s days, even as dementia gradually affected Toom’s memory and independence.

The question was how to keep that joy alive. The answer came in the form of a shared love: dumplings.

What began as a simple weekly activity – rolling dumplings together to enjoy eating at home – soon grew into something bigger. Friends began to take notice, encouraging Tarn to sell them. Soon, small Instagram orders and street-side meetups turned into something much bigger.

Over time, what began as 20 orders a week exploded into 250. Deliveries stretched into long days, with friends pitching in to help keep up with the demand.

“It was crazy,” Tarn says. “We’d have a two-week waiting period and six people helping on eight-hour delivery days just to keep up.”

The success of the dumpling business did more than satisfy customers, it gave Toom purpose and pride. Even as her memory faded, she remained a joyful presence alongside her daughter in the kitchen. In 2020, Tarn opened a Chinatown storefront called Dumpling Drop, bringing their homegrown operation to life in a new way.

“She doesn't remember a lot anymore, but she’s happy and wants to give everyone that comes into the store a hug or say hello,” Tarn says. “It’s really special to see.”

As the business flourished, Tarn wanted to find a way to give back – to honour her mother and help others affected by dementia. Inspired by her mother’s birth month and the Thai tradition of giving back, she began donating a portion of every dumpling sold in February to the Alzheimer Society of B.C. Over time, this evolved into an annual Anything for Alzheimer’s fundraiser.

“Back home, birthdays are about giving, donating and sharing,” Tarn says. “I wanted to honour my mom and raise awareness at the same time. Alzheimer’s is still something people don’t talk about openly, so I wanted to change that.”

Some of the most meaningful moments for Tarn come quietly - a friend checking in after a parent’s diagnosis, a customer expressing gratitude for the awareness she’s raising.

“It’s really about showing people they’re not alone. Caregivers carry so much. Knowing others are listening, learning and supporting them – this is what makes it all worth it.”

Even as Toom’s memory continues to fade, the rituals remain. Rolling dumplings. Greeting customers. Coming together every February to support a cause close to their hearts. These traditions keep Toom’s joy alive and strengthen a community of caregivers and families.

For Tarn, the work is far from over.

“I want this to keep going as long as we can,” she says. “A couple thousand dollars won’t cure Alzheimer’s, but it helps. It brings people together and reminds us that even something as simple as rolling a dumpling can create something meaningful.”

Get involved

When it comes to supporting people affected by dementia, community makes all the difference. That’s what makes Anything for Alzheimer’s so powerful – it gives British Columbians the chance to take what they love and turn it into a lasting impact. Whether it’s trivia, baking, running, painting or playing music, your passion can become a force for change. There’s no one-size-fits-all event and each fundraiser reflects the person behind it and the people they’re honouring. While there may be zero percent cure, we do have one hundred percent community: show up, get creative and build a legacy of care and connection. Start your own Anything for Alzheimer’s event, because your talents have the power to make a difference.

Funds raised through Anything for Alzheimer’s help provide vital support services, including the First Link® Dementia Helpline, which offers information, guidance and compassion to anyone facing the dementia journey. The helpline is toll-free and confidential and is available Monday to Friday:

• English: 1-800-936-6033 (9 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
• Cantonese and Mandarin: 1-833-674-5007 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
• Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu: 1-833-674-5003 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Learn more about Anything for Alzheimer’s and how you can host your event at anythingforalzheimers.ca.