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17th Annual Memory Walk at the State Capitol, October 3
On Saturday, October 3, the Northern California Alzheimer’s Association will hold its 17th annual Memory Walk at the State Capitol. This event is designed to bring together a community touched by Alzheimer’s disease and raise money for research and social services in the face of lower funding and increasing diagnoses.
The Alzheimer’s Association is a voluntary health organization committed to the vision of a world without Alzheimer’s. The Association accomplishes this goal through advancing medical research, promoting brain health to reduce the risk of dementia, and it provides and enhances care and support for all affected by the disease. The Association Web site (www.alz.org) provides a wealth of information about prevention, support and finding a cure.
This year, the Memory Walk team has a goal of rising $290,000 by enlisting 2,000 walkers to spread the word about Alzheimer’s disease. Participants can walk individually or in teams and register via the event Web site. And there is no entry fee to participate. The team emphasizes that it’s never too late to join, and no amount raised is too small.
Erin Stone, coordinator of the walk for the Alzheimer’s Association, notes that registering before the walk allows participants the chance to receive fundraising tips and reminders before the event. Joining an existing team can also be a great way to get involved as team captains are prepared with e-mails, scripts and suggestions about raising money and gathering support. Those who are unable to attend the walk can show their support by making a tax-deductible general donation to the event.
When it comes to a disease like Alzheimer’s, the question is not if you’ll be affected, but when.
As America’s population ages, the cases of Alzheimer’s are set to quadruple in the coming years. Long thought of as simply memory loss associated with old age, Alzheimer’s is actually a degenerative disease that kills brain cells, literally choking healthy brain tissue and causing it to die. Early stages of the disease are marked by memory loss and difficulty performing routine tasks. In the later stages, the brain is unable to process life-sustaining functions such as breathing.
And while medicine has continued to make marked improvements in curing diseases of the body, nearly half of those who live to age 85 will develop Alzheimer’s. One out of every eight people age 65 and older has the disease, and although it’s considered to be an aging disease, early on-set Alzheimer’s has been known to develop in the 40s and 50s.
Globally, there are 35 million people living with Alzheimer’s, and every 70 seconds someone in America develops the disease. And yet, as the disease becomes more widespread, funding has been cut or even eliminated. Gov. Schwarzenegger recently eliminated funding for Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Centers that provide relief for round-the-clock caregivers. Funds for Caregiver Research Centers were cut by 70 percent.
September 21 marked World Alzheimer’s Day, and the Alzheimer’s Association urged people across the nation to get involved and learn more about the issue. This year’s focus was “Diagnosing Dementia: See It Sooner” and called attention to early recognition of signs of the disease.
The prevalence of Alzheimer’s will not just influence the medical profession, but each and every corner of society. Legal ramifications of diminished mental capacity, transportation for patients unable to drive, managing trust accounts, business transactions and support for caregivers are all concerns that must be addressed. By 2050, experts predict more than 100 million people will have the disease, and costs will skyrocket.
On October 3, Sacramento-area residents committed to making a difference in the face of Alzheimer’s disease will gather on the south side of the Capitol building and embark on a walk to change lives. The event will bring together social services, care homes, physicians, families and patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Beginning at 10 a.m., walkers will have their choice of three routes – three miles, one mile and 50 feet – the longest of which will go to Sutter’s Fort and return.
There are an estimated 588,000 California families that deal with this disease. Last year’s fund raising enabled the Alzheimer’s Association to put on educational programs for 1,700 people, dispensed advice via helpline to over a thousand, hosted support groups for 1,800 and sent a newsletter to over 30,000 homes. Mary Gillon, regional director in Sacramento, notes that 255 volunteers last year turned in nearly 4,000 hours of service. Just a few hours on October 3 can help make a difference to half a million California families.
