Grandparents brought their grandchildren, parents wheeled strollers and college students brought their friends to increase awareness of Alzheimer’s disease.
More than 200 showed up to walk two miles as part of the seventh-annual Alzheimer’s Walk and Education Fair on Saturday in Washington. The walk began at 10:30 a.m.
The event raises at least $15,000 annually.
The Education Fair component of the event included information on the warning signs of Alzheimer’s, diagnosing the disease, Alzheimer’s research, treatment of the disease, behavioral issues related to Alzheimer’s, making decisions regarding the disease and providing care to people with Alzheimer’s.
“Education is an important part of the (Alzheimer’s) disease,” said Nancy Broadwell with Alzheimer’s North Carolina.
In the past, Broadwell and Dee Dee Harris worked for the national Alzheimer’s organization. Recently, they switched to Alzheimer’s North Carolina so any profits made can go to supporting and sponsoring local Alzheimer’s-awareness programs and efforts.
Dr. Daniel Lee and Sonja Bareiss represented East Carolina University’s Wooten laboratory at the event. The lab, which began operations in 2008, has triple transgenic mice that assist it in making advances in the molecular scale of Alzheimer’s disease.
Several volunteers were honored at the event as several Golden Shoes were awarded. Two of the younger volunteers, Chastity Jefferson and Brett Perry, were honored because of their overwhelming support and innovative ideas. Both work for the N.C. Department of Transportation.
Emily Albera helped begin the local Alzheimer’s event after her mother was diagnosed with the disease.
Statistics show Alzheimer’s is fourth-leading cause of death for Americans. It is a costly disease, costing up to $100 billion annually.