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The BEAT AD Charity Gala Dinner, co-organised by the Charles K. Kao Foundation for Alzheimer’s Disease (CKKF) and The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), was held last Saturday (9 November) at Regent Hong Kong. The event gathered over 300 guests, in a collective effort to raise awareness of dementia. Currently, 10% of the population aged over 70 in Hong Kong is affected by dementia, with estimates suggesting that the number of patients could reach 330,000 by 2039. In response to this growing challenge, CUHK and CKKF have launched the “BEAT AD Service” programme, which offers free brain health assessments to the public for early prevention and treatment. The dinner raised over HK$5 million, which will support the further expansion of the programme and the introduction of artificial intelligence technology to streamline the process, allowing for wider access and benefits for the community.

The event was officiated by Dr the Honourable Lam Ching-choi, Executive Council Member of the Hong Kong government, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Mental Health and Chief Executive Officer of Haven of Hope Christian Service. He said: “Dementia, a common mental illness among elderly people, has imposed a significant burden upon Hong Kong society in recent years due to rapidly ageing population. I am very delighted to learn about the partnership between CKKF and CUHK to tackle this challenge by pioneering a one-stop brain health assessment service, with an aim to reduce the risk of dementia for older individuals in our society. My best wishes for a highly successful programme ahead.”

Mrs Gwen Kao, Chairman of CKKF, said in her recorded message: “Research into dementia’s causes and possible prevention, continuing education on methodologies and the search for a cure are never-ending. As ongoing research continues to bear fruit, the Foundation needs to move forward in step to apply new ways of helping sufferers and their caregivers alike. However, the most effective strategy for combating dementia today is prevention through ‘multidomain lifestyle interventions’. This approach includes regular exercise, cognitive training, a balanced diet, and monitoring vascular risk factors, along with other lifestyle modifications. Research suggests that by implementing these measures, we can reduce the incidence of dementia by over 40%. My heartfelt gratitude goes to our supporters, sponsors and donors for their many contributions, not only this evening but through the years since the Foundation’s inception.”

Dr Brigitte Lin Ching-hsia, Charles Kao CUHK BEAT AD Service Patron and Project Ambassador, said: “Two years ago, I learned of the mission and essence of the BEAT AD Service Project, and took the initiative to get involved, not only to raise awareness of dementia but also to promote this important preventive concept. ‘One fears not cognitive impairment but instead the lack of cognition.’ Let us work together to combat dementia, keep the memories close to our hearts and live our lives with no regrets.”

Dr William Lo Wing-yan, Chairman-Designate of CKKF, said: “We look ahead to the challenges of a rapidly ageing population and the projected increase in dementia cases. Through programmes like the BEAT AD Service, we are educating communities about early intervention strategies, empowering individuals to safeguard their cognitive well-being. With your continued support, we can replace fear with hope, stigma with inclusion, and uncertainty with a future where minds thrive and memories endure.”

Professor Vincent Mok Chung-tong and Dr Chiu Ha-ying, Co-Executive Directors of the Charles Kao CUHK BEAT AD Service, said: “Recent global research shows that dementia can be prevented if we can tackle various modifiable risk factors before disabling symptoms set in. The BEAT AD Service is the first of its kind to utilise AI-powered retinal imaging technology for brain health assessment and tailor-made recommendations for individuals to reduce the risk of dementia. We are immensely grateful to all who have supported this collaboration, including Dr Brigitte Lin Ching-hsia, generous philanthropists and distinguished members of CUHK.”

CKKF was co-founded by the late Professor Charles Kao, former Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK and Nobel Laureate in Physics, and his wife, Mrs Gwen Kao, with a focus on promoting dementia awareness and care. The event also featured performances including a duet by Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, with Ms Michelle Siu, CUHK alumna and soprano, in support of the cause. Dr Brigitte Lin Ching-hsia performed Peking opera publicly for the first time, and sang and co-hosted a lucky draw with singer Keung To, adding excitement to the evening. Ms Hung Sum-yee, CUHK alumna and champion of cross-institutional singing contest “The Voice of Campus – Singing Across China”, and magician Mr Henry Harrius, Hong Kong’s first FISM World Championship of Magic winner, also performed at the dinner.