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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
Our heartfelt thanks to all who participated in our 2007 walks.
Choose a walk near you
NEBRASKA MEMORY WALKS
Register on-line TODAY!
September 13, 2008 (Saturday)
Alliance, NE Memory Walk
September 4, 2008 (Thursday)
Beatrice, NE Memory Walk
September 11, 2008 (Thursday)
Broken Bow, NE Memory Walk
September 11, 2008 (Thursday)
Columbus, NE Memory Walk
September 14, 2008 (Sunday)
Fairbury, NE Memory Walk
October 5, 2008 (Sunday)
Falls City, NE Memory Walk
August 28, 2008 (Thursday)
Grand Island, NE Memory Walk
September 18, 2008 (Thursday)
Hastings, NE Memory Walk
September 11, 2008 (Thursday)
Kearney, NE Memory Walk
September 21, 2008 (Sunday)
Lincoln, NE Memory Walk
September 13, 2008 (Saturday)
McCook, NE Memory Walk
September 14, 2008 (Sunday)
Norfolk, NE Memory Walk
September 14, 2008 (Sunday)
North Platte, NE Memory Walk
September 27, 2008 (Saturday)
Scottsbluff, NE Memory Walk
September 18, 2008 (Thursday)
Sidney, NE Memory Walk
WYOMING MEMORY WALKS
Register on-line TODAY!
August 16, 2008 (Saturday)
Cheyenne, WY Memory Walk
September 20, 2008 (Saturday)
Cody, WY Memory Walk
September 6, 2008 (Saturday)
Jackson, WY Memory Walk
September 20, 2008 (Saturday)
Lovell, WY Memory Walk
October 4, 2008 (Saturday)
Powell, WY MemoryWalk
September 13, 2008 (Saturday)
Rawlins, WY Memory Walk
September 19, 2008 (Friday)
Riverton, WY Memory Walk
September 6, 2008 (Saturday)
Sheridan, WY Memory Walk
September 6, 2008 (Saturday)
Rock Springs, WY Memory Walk
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 2008 Memory Walk:
To raise awareness of this progressive and destructive disease.
To raise $300,000 in cash contributions from walkers (individuals and teams), donor 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.
