Walk to End Alzheimer's 2011 - A Recap
Whether you walked, volunteered, or donated, you took the first step to end Alzheimer’s, and we thank you for it. The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the Alzheimer’s Association’s signature fundraiser and brought together more than 3,800 walkers across Oregon. The walks in Portland and Eugene raised more than $335,000.
Congratulations to our top fundraising team, Prestige Care, who raised more than $27,000 through their paid time off (PTO) donation program. Employees were offered the opportunity to contribute the equivalent of up to a day’s worth of time off to the Alzheimer’s Association.
“Last year, we had several small events but were only able to raise a few thousand dollars,” said Prestige Care Expressions Product Manager Dina Newsom. “PTO is an easy way to raise lots of money.”
This year’s walks also brought out the younger generations en masse. Teams representing Oregon State University, University of Portland, Linfield College, St. Francis Youth Group, Portland Community College and more school and youth organizations walked. Sigma Kappa sorority is a national Walk team, and the OSU chapter chartered a bus to make the trek from Corvallis to Eugene. Their 40 walkers also provided much of the volunteer support for the Eugene Walk.
The Sigma Kappa Foundation has awarded more than $1.5 million in grants and funding for Alzheimer’s disease prevention, research and treatment efforts while continuing to educate the public about this debilitating disease through work with senior citizens and care for the elderly.
Stay tuned to www.alz.org/oregon for more info on next year’s walk dates and locations. And remember - the end of Alzheimer’s starts with you.
Johnson's People Power - Walking for a World without Alzheimer's Disease
Craig and Joyce Johnson were devastated when Craig was diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer’s in February 2008. His 25-year career as an architect came to a screeching halt and their lives were forever changed. Now they are strong advocates for Alzheimer’s research and Craig participates in a clinical trial. Annually, they help to raise awareness and funds as participants in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
Younger-onset Alzheimer’s is a very rare form of the disease affecting less than 10 percent of all those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. It includes everyone with the disease under the age of 65. Tragically it includes people as young as 35 and many people suffering from younger-onset Alzheimer’s are in their 40s and 50s.
The needs of younger-onset families are complex. People with the disease can no longer work, and the loss of income is a serious concern. Finances get even tighter when spouses or partners must quit their jobs to become full-time caregivers. Some medical benefits and many social-support programs won't provide assistance unless the person with Alzheimer's is older than age 65. Caregivers have to schedule, organize and take on the responsibilities the person with the disease can no longer handle.
This is the third year Craig and Joyce have participated in the Walk and the first time Joyce has been a team captain. ”We believe in the power of people” says Joyce. “Our goal is not only to raise money, but to be part of the thousands of people who are supporting the Alzheimer Association and its push for more research and resources to fight the disease.”
The Alzheimer’s Association Oregon Chapter is coordinating two Walks in 2011: the Portland Walk to End Alzheimer’s is September 25th in Pioneer Courthouse Square, while the Eugene Walk is October 9th in Alton Baker Park. Registration is free. Join Craig and Joyce, and help to change the course of this disease by walking.
I Walk Because...
Julie Gaggero - I walk because 2000 miles away this is all I can do to help my Dad, Robert H. Arnold who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s four years ago. I advocate to change laws and to fundraise and to educate. I went with the Alzheimers Association in March 2009 to Washington DC as an advocate to talk with our local Congressman and Senators. I carried this picture of my Dad and I, he was there with me I felt, and his strength supported me. I attended the hearing where Maria Shriver, Sandra Day O'Connor and Newt Gingrich testified about the Alzheimer Committee findings—it was an incredible experience. Alzheimer’s is such a horrible disease, that people don’t want to talk about it, but we must! We must make everyone understand so that they will join us to do what they can to help us find a cure. MOVE with me to END ALZHEIMER’S!
Kate Dyer-Seeley ~ I walk because Alzheimer’s disease took my mom too early. At 52 she wore smart suits, a short bob, drank coffee by the gallon, and was begging me to hurry up and have a baby already so she could be a grandma. A few years later when I took the plunge into parenthood she couldn’t write her name, tie her shoes, or impart her parenting knowledge. This was not supposed to happen in my early thirties. I wasn’t supposed to be losing my mom. She was supposed to be teaching me how to become one. MOVE with me to END ALZHEIMER’S!
Linda Roadman ~ Memory Walk is not just about raising money but also increasing public education. Most people think they know about Alzheimer’s, but they don’t. I know I thought I did and I have learned so much since my mother was diagnosed at age 84. I’m excited to take the time to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s and to increase community involvement. I had envisioned retirement differently, but as my mother’s caregiver I’m working now to be an informed and compassionate decision-maker.
MOVE with me to END ALZHEIMER’S
Jalen Lowery ~ I walk because my Grandpa Jack died from Alzheimer’s in November and my grandma has it, too. I’m nine and the youngest team captain for the Portland walk. I doubled my goal last year and made it, so I did that again for this year. If everyone does that, I think we can make this bad disease go away. I don’t want my Nana or my Gramps to get it. MOVE with me to END ALZHEIMER’S!
VOLUNTEERS
It's not too early to think about volunteering for Walk to End Alzheimer's 2012! The Walks' success will depend upon enthusiastic teams raising awareness and funds in their communities. Contact the office nearest you.
