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About Memory Walk
The Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk,® nationally presented by Genworth Financial, is our national signature event and brings together family, friends, caregivers and concerned community members — who all want to make a difference. Since 1989, Memory Walk has raised more than $200 million to help those battling Alzheimer's disease. Learn more about Memory Walk.
Walker news
The Alzheimer's Association Great Plains Chapter hosted 27 Memory Walks throughout its territory of 80 counties in Nebraska and all of Wyoming in 2008. As part of a national fundraiser, these Memory Walks brought in over $250,000 for the Great Plains Chapter. This money is essential for the Chapter to provide education and support services to those affected by Alzheimer's and other dementias, as well as to provide dollars for research. Thank you to everyone who participated--we hope to see you again in 2009!
Additional thanks to Pinnacle Bank, the Chapter-wide Memory Walk sponsor, and to Mark and Kathy Hesser, Corporate Co-Chairs.
If you would like more information on the Memory Walks in your area in 2009, please contact Kris Hall at 402.420.2540
Choose a walk near you
NEBRASKA MEMORY WALKS
Alliance
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Beatrice
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Broken Bow
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Columbus
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Dawson County
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Fairbury
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Grand Island
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Hastings
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Kearney
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Lincoln
Sunday, September 20, 2009
McCook
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Norfolk
Sunday, September 13, 2009
North Platte
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Scottsbluff
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Sidney
Thursday, September 10, 2009
WYOMING MEMORY WALKS
Cheyenne
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Jackson
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Laramie
Friday, September 25, 2009
Lovell
Friday, September 25, 2009
Rawlins
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Riverton
Friday, September 18, 2009
Rock Springs
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Sheridan
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Start a team
Forming a team for the Memory Walk can enhance your experience and multiply your impact on the fight against Alzheimer's. Together, as a team, you are a force much greater than what you can accomplish alone.
NELSON FAMILY TEAM A Family’s Personal Journey in the Walk Against Alzheimer’s Disease
Melissa Mecham planned her own 21st birthday celebration. Invitations were sent and special t-shirts were designed. She invited family and friends to step out with her, not up and down “O” Street, but rather through Antelope Park.
On September 14, 2002, Melissa led the team she had organized, the Nelson Family Team, on their first Alzheimer’s Walk. With her best friend, Tammy Nguyen, by her side, and her parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends following behind, Melissa celebrated her 21st birthday by honoring her grandfather, Clarence Nelson.
It was a fitting thing to do as just days after 9/11, on her 20th birthday, Melissa learned that her Grandpa Nelson had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The news was heartbreaking. During the weeks and months following, Melissa and the Nelson family learned all they could about the disease and supported Clarence and his wife, DeLoris, as life began to change around them.
Trips to Newman Grove were many, celebrating birthdays and anniversaries, taking Clarence for walks, even loading him in his wheelchair into the back of a pick-up so that he could spend time on the family farm. The Nelson kids and grandkids took each step in the Alzheimer’s journey with their parents and grandparents.
Melissa organized the team again in 2003, 2004, and 2005. Then came 2006--a devastating year for Melissa and her family. In January Melissa’s father, Scott Mecham, died suddenly. A few weeks later Grandpa Nelson died, and shortly after the family also mourned the death of Grandma Nelson--so much heartache in such a short time.
When Melissa gathered the family in 2006 things were much different. They walked in memory of Grandpa Nelson and in honor of the love and care Grandma Nelson gave him. They walked without Scott. Awaiting clearance to bring the newest member of the Nelson Team home, Melissa’s brother, Shane, sister-in-law, Heather, and 8-month old nephew, Lucas Scott Culpatan Mecham, were walking “with” the Nelson Team in Antigua, Guatemala.
In 2007, five years after the 21st birthday celebration, six years after they were first impacted by Alzheimer’s disease, the Nelson Team walked again. This time Melissa organized the team from her new home in North Carolina. She flew to Lincoln for the walk and was joined by family and friends from Kansas City, Omaha, Albion, Columbus, Humphrey, and Lincoln. The Nelson cousins had all designed their own web sites. Donations came from Arizona, California, Texas, Virginia, New Mexico, Nevada, and Nebraska.
Every year team members ask Melissa if they will be walking again next year. Although Melissa has learned that nothing is guaranteed, she remains committed to doing what she can so that some day Alzheimer’s disease will be just a memory.
Fundraising tools
- Walker donation form
Use this form to keep track of your pledges. - Walker Incentive form
Rewards for taking steps to end Alzheimer's.
Memory Walk at a glance
• 22 scenic walks spread throughout 80 counties of Greater Nebraska and all of Wyoming.
• Wheelchair/stroller accessible
• Entertainment and activities for kids and kids at heart
• Remembrance areas
• Displays from sponsors and community organizations
• Refreshments
• Volunteers are welcome at all sites
Goals for the 2009 Memory Walk:
To raise awareness of this progressive and destructive disease.
To raise $300,000 in cash contributions from walkers (individuals and teams), donors and corporate sponsors.
To increase the number of Memory Walk teams of family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers, social/civic/fraternal organizations and sponsor organizations.
