The Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the nation’s largest event of its kind. It is done in pieces: 650 communities throughout the country host their own fundraisers, all of which contribute to the same research, support, and care that will beat the disease for good. The Lake County edition of the walk, held on October 4th, is a vital piece of the puzzle that is already outgrowing its new venue.
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Hostess Katie Slater said that her team printed 700 registration papers but were scrambling to make more copies once people started signing up. She works as a Community Relationship Specialist for the Alzheimer’s Association but her connection with Alzheimer’s is not merely professional. Her grandmother lost her life to dementia.
“Alzheimer’s is just starting to get the recognition that it deserves,” Slater said. “It’s been overshadowed by bigger diseases like heart and cancer but it is deadly too. It is the 6th leading cause of death.”
Most of the people who walked are too familiar with Alzheimer’s and its fatality rate. Each person is given a flower that represents his or her relationship with the disease. Orange meant they support the cause. Yellow was for those who were caring for someone with Alzheimer’s and purple is for the people who have lost someone to it. Blue flowers were given to those who were diagnosed with dementia of any kind.
They know how important a walk like this is, not just for raising funds and building awareness, but for community.
“It is a traumatic thing to go through,” explained volunteer Colleen Duffy. Her mother passed away last year from Parkinson’s disease. She became involved with the association so that she could support the community she did not know existed. Colleen gives out information she did not know was available to her, so that other people can get support and help through their trials. “It’s a traumatic thing to watch a loved one go through. It is important for others to see what you are going through. We all get together and it lets us know that we are not alone.”
Doctors and nurses who are trained to be stoic in order to preserve their own mental health are not the best comfort during an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. People like Sarah Milligan, NWI Care Consultant for the Alzheimer’s Association, are available to help.
Milligan can offer support on a one on one basis, all throughout Northwest Indiana, thanks to the funds raised by the annual walks.
“I gravitated toward Alzheimer’s I think because of my fascination with the brain and the way it brings changes to our bodies. Being able to help people through that change is a unique experience.”
Millions of dollars are raised every year by the Alzheimer’s Association. In each community, in each team that signs up, is a very personal contribution that means more to the donors than dollar signs. It means a future for people who may not have had one. Names and birthdays that will not be forgotten.
Alzheimer’s happens a little bit at a time and so does the battle against it. The walk awards teams that raise the most money, a decision that fosters a bit more of the competitive spirit necessary to cure any illness. The Unforgettables team collected the most funds, Jojo’s Kid’s had the greatest team spirit. Sponsors like Meijer, Kittle’s Furniture, and American Senior Communities handle a lot of the start up costs and promotion but it is up to the will of the people to gather and Walk.
The will is strong.
“We’re walking in memory of mom and dad,” said Linda Hernandez as her and her family marched triumphantly through the finish line. “We are her children, grandchildren. She was a very caring person. Dad was a silent giver, he gave to everyone. We are going to keep fighting, until it is cured. We will see you next year!”