Purchase Area Walk to End Alzheimer's

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Purchase Area Walk to End Alzheimer's 2020

by Cassie Johnson

We've all been cooped up in the house for too long. Let’s break out those walking shoes from quarantine and help raise money and awareness for a great cause!

The Purchase Area Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be on October 17 at 10 am. This year’s walk will be a little different than usual. Rather than gathering at one location, participants will walk their own course to follow CDC social distance guidelines. Whether it be a public trail, a family field, or a city sidewalk, you can join in!

“We call this The Walk Is Everywhere event,” explained BriAnn Hill, Community Outreach Coordinator with the Alzheimer’s Association. “You can complete the two-mile course, one-mile walk, or choose the distance you feel comfortable with. Team members can gather together in their small groups if they wish, but there will be no large, formal gathering for this year’s event.”

I Want to Walk! To participate, simply download the free Walk to End Alzheimer’s app, available for both Android and iOS. On the app, you can track your steps, your route, and even your donations. You can also send photos of your team as you walk together. There is no registration fee to join, however each participant who raises $ 100 will earn a free t-shirt and five yard signs to display.

“One of the best things about the 2020 walk is the flexibility of it,” said Hill. “If you have another engagement on October 17, or some of your team members can’t make it that day, no problem. You can walk when it fits your schedule, it doesn’t have to be the exact date and time of the walk.”

Alzheimer's Affects 1 in 10 If you have not personally been affected by dementia or Alzheimer’s, chances are you have friends or family who have. It is estimated that 5.8 million Americans of all ages currently are living with Alzheimer’s. One in 10 people over 65 years old has Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Lanita Flanary, owner of Flanary Veterinary Clinic, found herself staring at dementia in the eyes of her mother.

“My mom is the strongest lady I know and we were best friends,” Flanary told me. “I never thought dementia would happen to her, but it did. She was diagnosed with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus with Secondary Dementia. I promised her I would never leave her, and we lived every possible moment making fun memories. She taught me how to cook those favorite recipes and I made memory books for her. Her diagnosis wasn’t going to keep us from living each day.”

Dr/ Lanita Flanary with her mother.

Since participants will not be meeting in person this year, there will be a virtual Promise Garden Ceremony. The Promise Garden represents the promise to remember, honor, care, and fight for those living with Alzheimer’s as well as their caregivers.

Be a Sponsor Many other local businesses annually participate in the walk. Parkview Nursing and Rehabilitation cares for many residents, as well as their families, living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

“We are proud to sponsor the walk each year,” said Dr. Lanita Flanary with her mother. Melanie Henson, marketing director for Parkview. “We hope that we are doing a small part to help fund research to end this terrible disease and support families who need information and encouragement.”

Due to COVID, donations for the 2020 event are not as robust as usual and sponsors are still needed – any amount is appreciated. Sponsorships from businesses and individuals are both welcome.

“The disease doesn’t stop, and neither do we,” said Hill. “Our goal is to raise as much money as possible. Donations help bring critical care and support services to the local community. About 80% of the proceeds go towards Alzheimer’s research and other support services."

Register online as an individual or a small team at act.alz.org/paducah. Share Walk to End Alzheimer’s information on your social media pages using the tags @AlzKYIN or #ENDALZ. For questions, please contact BriAnn Hill at 812.457.3238.