A walk to remember

By Rose Lu

The walk happened Sat. Oct. 13 to spread awareness and fundraise for the cause. Held annually in 600 communities worldwide, Walk to end Alzheimer’s goal is to fundraise for medical research for a cure to end Alzheimer’s.The walk was held in Arena Green, from 8a.m. to 12p.m.
This year, teachers and Alzheimer’s Association are banding up to fundraise and walk to find a cure for Alzheimer’s.
As an adult, you get to know even more people so I think that is just something that everyone has experienced,” AP Language teacher Michelle Flores states. The teachers had been actively participating in the event, some carrying small donation jars and handing out pins for every three dollars donated. So far, since 2015, Walk to End Alzheimer’s has raised $75 million funded towards research and spreading awareness.
Lots of staff on campus have lost loved ones to Alzheimer’s, and are looking to spread awareness and change throughout the campus. “Personally, my wife is the chair of the walk and she’s very involved as her mother passed away from it,” Insane Ink teacher Mitch Method shares. Many are still actively looking for a cause to prevent further deaths from occurring from Alzheimer’s. “My grandma passed away from Alzheimer’s. My kids goes to my mom’s house to be taken care of and that’s what my grandma was to me. I spent summers over there, and I was really close to her, so to see her deteriorate, the disease really hits home,” Mrs. Flores insightfully shares.
In the road to helping find a cause to prevent further deaths, students are very encouraged to help out with the cause. “Donate some money, donate your time and just talk to people and listen to what they have to say — even 100 times. It’s a kind thing to do. Always be kind to the elderly,” Gov’ teacher Lynne Murray shares thoughtfully. “Students don’t have to do a ton, but it would be great if they can show support and awareness,” Mr. Method adds.
Walk to End Alzheimer’s an annual event, therefore, it will still exist for years to come, until the cure is found. Slowly and surely, every donation helps and is one step closer to curing Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s is named after neuropathologist Alois Alzheimer, who noticed odd behavior in a woman. After interviewing her and inquiring about her, he realized that she had a memory-loss disease, later to be identified as Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that destroys brain cells and memory, and it is one of the ten diseases in America where there is no cure so far. Each year, many people hope to find a cure by walking and donating to Walk to End Alzheimer’s. ◆