Saturday night kicked off the campaign fundraiser for the Schizophrenia society of Alberta.

‘See me, not my illness,’ is this year’s theme.

Organizers say it represents the stigma surrounding Schizophrenia that those battling it are sometimes seen for what their illness looks like instead of whom they actually are.

They are hoping to raise 150 thousand dollars during the campaign which began at the dinner on Saturday, with keynote speakers, raffles and a silent auction.

 “More and more people are starting to know and have compassion for those that are living with this illness.”

Ruby-Anne Rose is the Provincial Executive Director for the society and she says 1 in 100 people are living with schizophrenia, which is around 34,000 Albertans.

“It’s the perception, what they are thinking, their senses and so for them it means we support you and we want to make a difference.”  

There were approximately 300 people at the event on November 3. The campaign however continues until December 31 and they are pushing for donations to help them reach their goal.

More information can be found on the Schizophrenia Society of Alberta website.