Alzheimer’s Walk Provides Inspiration and Hope

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The Alzheimer’s Association’s signature event–the 'Walk to End Alzheimer’s'–was held September 24th in San Francisco’s Mission Creek park. Ericka Smith, Director of Special Events, reported earlier this week that over 5000 walkers attended and nearly $1 million was raised in the fight to end Alzheimer’s disease.

September was World Alzheimer’s Awarness month, and during this time Alzheimer’s Association chapters nationwide hosted Walks to raise awareness for this devastating disease. The Northern California/Nevada chapter located on Shoreline Boulevard and La Avenida Street helped organize the local Walk.

For many participants, like Lauren Hospital, the Walk was more than fundraising and walking. From a young age she watched as her maternal grandparents succumbed to the disease, but for her she says her support is, "more about the future, than my past."

Regarding her experience with Alzheimer’s she added, "In the last ten to twenty years of my life, I’ve seen research create further understanding about Alzheimer’s and its causes and management. There is real progress here."

Advancement in Alzheimer’s research is made possible through key Walk fundraisers. Walk teams like the "Heritage Hikers" are a pivotal fundraising force in the annual San Francisco Walk. As representatives of Heritage Estates retirement community, they have raised over thirty thousand dollars in the last three years.

When asked why the "Heritage Hikers" walk, Emily Ussery explained, "It is a passion for most of our staff to do what we can to aid in research to end Alzheimer’s because it affects the population we care for.”

In addition to the fundraising teams, the Alzheimer’s Association Northern California/Northern Nevada chapter gives hundreds of hard working volunteers credit for the Walk’s success. First year volunteer Rita Guba, whose mother suffers from Alzheimer’s, became involved after she realized the “difficulties and frustrations” of being a primary caregiver.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Rita is one of 15 million unpaid caregivers of persons with dementia. Like many first year attendees, Rita expressed relief when she realized she wasn’t alone in caring for her mother. Now a devoted advocate, she planned to attend next year’s 'Walk to End Alzheimer's' in San Francisco and Sacramento.

Although Alzheimer’s Awareness month is over, the Walks continue throughout the Fall with both San Jose and Monterey Walks October 15th. There is still time to sign up to volunteer or fundraise for the upcoming walks. Those interested in participating should go to http://www.alz.org/walk or email walk@alznorcal for more information.