Alzheimer’s is the third-leading cause of death in Washington state and sixth nationally. Right now, there are 150,000 people in the state living with the disease. More than 350,000 unpaid caregivers care for them.
These statistics inspire Alzheimer’s advocates, so the local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association is sponsoring 10 walks throughout Western and Central Washington to raise money and awareness.
The Seattle walk, named the Pacific Northwest Walk, will start from South Lake Union Park (860 Terry Ave. N.) at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 21 — which is also Alzheimer’s Action Day. The walk will span 3 miles, with a shuttle at stops throughout for participants who cannot complete the full route.
The chapter is one of 80 across the nation and covers 23 counties in Washington state, according to Keri Pollock, communications director for the Western and Central Washington chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.
This is the 21st year for the Pacific Northwest Walk, which is the chapter’s oldest and largest walk. Last year, the event attracted 1,500 participants, and this year, it’s expecting about 2,000 people.
Preparation for this year’s walk began as soon as last year’s walk ended, Pollock said. “Not only is this our largest awareness-building event but also our largest fund-raising event,” she said.
The walk is walker- and wheelchair-friendly, and water and food is provided. KING-5 sports anchor Paul Silvi will emcee the event.
The money raised from the walk is split: 60 percent of the funds are used in Washington state for the local programs; the other 40 percent go to the national Alzheimer’s Association. Pollock stressed that even though those funds go to the national organization, the programs it funds are used locally.
‘Everybody has a story’
Participants can create teams, which are often named after a loved one. There are also support-group teams who come up with names like the “Forget-Me-Nots,” Pollock said. People who aren’t able to be physically present can be “virtual walkers” and still set up a team and raise money. (To sign up for the walk, visit www.alz.org/alzwa and follow the on-line registration prompts.)
Each participant who comes to the walk can pick up a flower (similar to a pinwheel) at the Promise Garden table. There, different flower colors coordinate with the reason a participant is at the walk — whether it’s in memory of a family member or they’re in the early stages of Alzheimer’s themselves.
As the 2,000 participants walk, their flowers spin, creating a beautiful sight, Pollock said. People often bring the flowers home and put them in their gardens.
“When you see this visual pic[ture] of 2,500 people...a sea of purple shirts and a sea of multicolored flowers, [you know] everybody has a story,” volunteer Patricia Le Roy said. “It’s pretty powerful.”
Last year, the chapter’s walks raised $500,000, and this year, it’s hoping to pass its goal of $650,000, Pollock said.
“Obviously, the reason we want to grow the walk is [because] it’s our largest base of revenue,” she said.
There is no entrance fee so anyone can participate in the walk, events coordinator Justine Stevens said. To receive one of the T-shirts, a participant must raise at least $100.
“[Anyone with] any sort of tie to the disease — we’d love to have you there, to have you support those currently with the disease and the future,” she said.
There will be about 75 volunteers helping with the Pacific Northwest walk this year. Le Roy started volunteering with the chapter a couple of years ago, after three of her family members were affected by the disease.
“[I feel] a sense of being a part of a really powerful movement, and honoring family and really feeling very proud in wearing that purple shirt and feeling like you’re making a difference,” Le Roy said.
Le Roy is an advocate who coordinates with Congressmen Jim McDermott’s office. She keeps his staff apprised of upcoming Alzheimer’s-related legislation.
Le Roy has been frequenting the Magnolia Farmers Market to provide educational information about the disease, as well as information about the upcoming walk. There is a Magnolia-based team called Team Magnolia that raised more than $1,200 last year.
Support groups
Right now, the chapter is only reaching about 5 percent of the community. With more money, the chapter can bring in more programs and services, Pollock said.
In recent years, the chapter has added an Early Stage Memory Loss program, which helps people recently diagnosed with dementia. The group meets every Monday at the Woodland Park Zoo.
“For people in the early stage of disease and their care partners, it’s about the physical activity and meeting the people on a similar stage of the journey,” Pollock said.
The chapter has also added a new Peer-to-Peer group, which trains people in the early stages of dementia to be a peer adviser to other newly diagnosed people. This creates “frank and honest conversations that [people] might not have with their doctor or spouse,” Pollock said.
For help around the clock, call the 24/7 Alzheimer’s Association hotline: (800) 272-3900.
For more information or to sign up for the walk, visit www.alz.org/alzwa.
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