Stella Sexmith honors her mother and sister who both had Alzheimer’s by raising funds for Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Santa Cruz. Each year Stella and her husband Ron gather items from friends and neighbors to sell at a yard sale, where all the proceeds go to support their local Walk.

Stella Sexmith has been attending the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® in Santa Cruz on and off since the late 1990s. Initially, Stella was approached by a committee member at her place of work, a local hospital, asking if she’d like to participate. Having a personal connection, her mother, Stella agreed to help raise funds.

Carol (center) with Stella (right) and baby sister

Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest fundraiser for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. This inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to join the fight against the disease.

“I would walk around [the hospital] and I’d ask people for donations,” said Stella. “The employees knew [I was raising funds for Walk]. The guys in engineering, would say, ‘Stella get out of here! I have work to do,’ and give me $5 to leave. Thats how I started raising money.”

A sister’s diagnosis

When Stella retired from the hospital, she stopped participating in Walk altogether. However, in 2017, when her half-sister Carol didn’t answer the phone, she worried it was Alzheimer’s. “It wasn’t like her to not answer the phone,” said Stella. “I was afraid that it was because she didn’t pay the bill, and that’s when I realized she had Alzheimer’s.”

Stella didn’t know what to do or how to help Carol from across the country. Then she remembered the Alzheimer’s Association® and went to the local office, then in Santa Cruz, for help. “Yuli, a Family Care Specialist at the Association, was absolutely wonderful,” said Stella. “I went to the Association and said, ‘I don’t know what to do!’ I was frantic because [Carol] was back East.”

“Yuli said, ‘First keep a new diary of everything that happens every day. [Second], go to the Alzheimer’s Association caregivers’ group. You’re a remote caregiver, go to this group, it will help you a lot. Well, she was right. Thats how I got involved with Alzheimer’s again. Then the fall Walk started and that’s when I started again.”

Eventually Carol was placed in a care setting near her East Coast home. Stella called regularly and visited when she could. She and her husband Ron even went to Carol’s home and helped pack everything up. Carol died in February of 2025.

Finding support

The Alzheimer’s Association offers peer-or professionally led groups for caregivers, individuals living with Alzheimer’s and others dealing with the disease. All support groups are facilitated by trained individuals.

Carol (left) and Stella (right)

“I absolutely loved the support group,” said Stella. “I loved [the facilitators]. I loved the people who were in the support group. [The group] got people out [of the house]. It’s so important that the caregivers take care of themselves. The encouragement from other people from the group it’s so important.”

A yard sale

With her passion reignited, Stella was ready to raise funds for Walk, but she needed a new plan on how to do it. Using the A to Z fundraising guide she was given after starting a team, she got to Y – Yard Sale and knew exactly what to do.

“I looked up what can I do? I can have a yard sell every year,” said Stella. “That was something I did that helped the neighbors get rid of stuff. They give it to me, I give [the money to] Alzheimer’s. I stated that upfront. [The money] goes to the Association, not to me. One neighbor said, ‘Oh this is for Alzheimer’s?’ and he walked over and dropped $50 in my jar. I was shocked. People can really be very generous with this, especially if they have been through it themselves.”

Not only does Stella receive donations from her neighbors, but also from people in other organizations she participates in, such as her cycling and knitting groups. Some people donate money and other items for her yard sale. Last year, a neighbor generously donated two very nice bikes, which Stella sold for $500 each and another donated three older cycles.

An added incentive

As a thank-you for raising funds and awareness, all registered participants can earn prizes through the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Incentive Program. This is one of Stella’s favorite parts. “I like raising the money,” said Stella. “[The Association is] very generous with their gifts. They gave me a jacket last year, that I love. They give me clothes I wouldn’t buy. A jacket I wear to the gym, and everybody sees it’s the Alzheimer’s Association.”

As of the writing of this blog, Stella is one of the top fundraisers for the Santa Cruz Walk having already raised over $4,000. Since her fundraising efforts started in the 1990s, Stella has raised more than $23,000 for the Association. 

Thanking her husband

Caring for a loved one can be hard to do on your own, which is why having a support team is important. Through her fundraising and caring for her sister, Stella’s biggest help has been her husband, Ron. Every year, Ron helps Stella collect all the donation items, and then is the one to drive around town posting signs returning unsold items to their owners or dropping them off at various donation locations.

“Seven years is a long time to take care of someone remotely,” said Stella. “I must thank my husband; he has been wonderful about this. He’s just been with me the whole time.”

You can join Stella’s team, Lady Cyclists, or start your own team for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Santa Cruz on September 27, 2025. Not in Santa Cruz? Find a walk near you at alz.org/walk.