Bill Glass of Lombard began his 750 mile trek to Atlanta Monday with nothing but a pair of bright purple sneakers on his feet and a 25-pound pack on his back. He’s walking all the way from Lombard to Atlanta not only to be with his mom, but also to deliver a message about the disease that’s stealing her memory.
“I’m hoping to get 20-25 miles a day,” Glass said. “If I only do 5 miles a day, as long as I can just spread the word and talk to as many people as I can so be it, if I get 30 miles in a day so be it, I’ll be happy with that as well.”
His goal is to stop at congressional offices all along the way, raising money for Alzheimer’s disease. He met with four Chicago-area U.S. representatives Monday, before heading to Valparaiso, Ind.
“The kind of research that we need to do right now that’s so desperately wanted by people like William and needed by his mother get cut also,” said congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “So this is a very difficult time.”
Nearly everyone is affected in some way by Alzheimer’s, Glass said, because more than 5 million Americans suffer from the cognitive disorder, another 15 million people take care of those patients, and the disease is expected to cost the nation $203 billion this year.
His goal is to raise $10,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association.
“I would like to make $10,000 but every penny counts,” Glass said. “If you can donate at least ten dollars, ten dollars goes a long way.”
Glass said he plans to meet with locals at restaurants and other places along the way and set up camp in church yards.
Glass hopes to make it to Atlanta by the end of September.
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