(Storm Lake)– The Walk to End Alzheimer’s Disease will be held this Saturday on the campus of Buena Vista University in Storm Lake. Lauren Livingston, Director of Communications for the Iowa Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, says it’s a good time to recognize those affected by the disease and other forms of dementia…
“And I’ve heard it described so many times as kind of one big support group where people affected by the disease, whether they’re a caregiver now or have lost someone or are even living with the disease, come together and share a really special morning and a two mile walk in honor and memory of those that they love.”
Livingston says the walk also serves as a major fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association…
“The walk in Storm Lake has a goal of raising $18,000 this year and we’re thankfully well on our way. We’re almost to $12,000. Across the state our goal is to raise over $1.5 million. All of that money goes to local resources and programs like support groups and education programs as well as research to find more treatments and ultimately that cure we’re really looking for.”
Saturday’s event begins with registration at 8:30 am at J. Leslie Rollins Stadium at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake…
“If you registered online, that’s great. You can come and enjoy the different vendors and activities we have that morning or you can sign up that morning as well. And we do have an opening ceremony that starts at 9:15 and part of the opening ceremony includes what’s called a Promise Garden Ceremony where we have everyone who is there hold up a different color flower depending on their reason for being there. For example, purple is for someone who has lost someone to the disease, yellow is for a current caregiver. It really just shows how many people are affected by the disease, whether they’re living with it or their family or friend have been affected. Opening ceremony is 9:15 and then that walk will immediately follow.”
In Iowa, there are more than 62,000 people living with Alzheimer’s Disease and 80,000 caregivers.
