Memory Walk For Alzheimer's Disease Raises Funds For Research and Support

It’s been nine months since my mother passed away after an eight-year-long battle with her progressive brain disease—long enough to dull the pain of her loss somewhat, but not long enough to forget her once-beautiful smile, her good-natured sense of humor, and her wonderful piano playing. While I can do little now to bring her back, I could think of nothing better to honor her memory with than to participate in the Memory Walk for Alzheimer’s disease this weekend at the Seattle Center.

So a couple of friends and I formed a fundraising team, the Lavender Ladies, pictured above left (L to R, Suzanne, Kim, and Kathy), and headed on down in the autumn sunshine to the Memory Walk. A respectable though not huge crowd had gathered at the Mural Amphitheatre prior to the walk to hear various speakers, including Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, talk about the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s disease.

Over 5 million people in the U.S. currently have Alzheimer’s disease, with the numbers expected to rise. One in ten people over 65 suffer from it, and nearly half of those over 85 have Alzheimer’s. It is a terminal brain disease, along with another progressive brain disease, Lewy Body Dementia, which causes severe deterioration of brain and body functioning. It can last anywhere from three to twenty years, and render a healthy person such as my mother into a debilitated individual unable to even cloth or feed themselves (my mother in the later years of her illness, pictured with my sister, top right photo). Caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s disease are emotionally and financially stressed, as insurance and Medicare does not normally pay for long-term care. That’s why it’s important to support organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association, which sponsored the Memory Walk. Donations to the Alzheimer’s Association go to educational programs, caregiver support, and research in fighting the disease.

After the speakers finished, the fundraising teams lined up to begin the short 1-2 mile walk around the center grounds. Friends and families in their brightly-colored Memory Walk t-shirts, many with pictures of their loved ones afflicted with Alzheimer’s on their backs, lined up with individuals and teams from local caregiver facilities. The Lavender Ladies and I joined in the orderly crowd as it wound its way around the grounds.

Afterwards, back at the amphitheatre, the crowd of fundraisers reassembled in front of the stage. One speaker, Dick Lundgren, whose wife suffers from Alzheimer’s, spoke of the need for legislation to aid caregivers in long-term care. He talked about recent state funding cuts in money for adult day health services, and urged the audience to get involved in demanding these services.

Awards were then given to top fundraisers. Among the leading fundraisers were Judy Wright for Merrill Gardens, who raised $6,300; the Alzheimer’s Association team, which raised $10,541.07; and Emeritus Senior Living, which raised a whopping $38,383.90. And while there was not as much of a media presence as I would have liked, considering the importance of this devastating illness, the King 5 Home Team was a participant, and raised $9,210.00.

Our little team, the Lavender Ladies, raised the more humble amount of around $700, but I was encouraged by the generous support of friends, family members, co-workers, and even casual acquaintances. It seems everyone I talked to knows someone affected by the disease, and wanted to help. It is important to continue to support the efforts of organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association in fighting the effects of this horrible illness.

The Memory Walk is in its twentieth year now, with fundraising walks occurring in cities around the country. As of today, the Memory Walk has raised $228,495 in donations, with the money still coming in. You can still donate to the Memory Walk until October 31 by going to <www.alz.org/memorywalk>