Jimmy Nukaya, center, cuts the purple ribbon to start the 2013 WALK to End Alzheimer's Saturday. Nukaya and his family were one of two families honored during the event. Also honored were the Brethauers, of Wray. (Rachel Alexander / Fort Morgan Times)
Alzheimer's WALK participants hold up garden-stake flowers representing the variety of people affected by Alzheimer's during the WALK Saturday at Fort Morgan city park. (Rachel Alexander / Fort Morgan Times)
It's a disease that steals more than a person's health. It steals their memories, their abilities, their personalities.
Alzheimer's steals a person's identity.
In order to raise awareness and support for local classes, support groups and help lines, the Alzheimer's Association hosted a WALK to end Alzheimer's Saturday at Fort Morgan's city park. This was a tri-county WALK supporting programs in Morgan, Washington and Yuma counties.
Despite the rainy weather and threat of flood, 17 teams joined in on the WALK, enjoying a breakfast and entertainment in the park before making the actual WALK through town.
"I think it's bigger than last year," said Marcia Shafer, regional director of the Alzheimer's Association.
She said 10 percent of the funds raised Saturday go toward research in hope of finding a way to halt the disease. The remaining funds go to support local families who have someone with memory loss, Alzheimer's or dementia.
Shafer said she received a call Friday morning about whether they were going to cancel the WALK due to the weather, but she and her committee decided to move forward with it.
"We were as determined to have the WALK as we are determined to find a cure," said Margaret Chouinard, a committee member.
Two families were honored during the event and led off the WALK from the park.
Ann Brethauer's mother, Earlene Edwards, suffers from Alzheimer's and Brethauer has been her caregiver for several years.
"It's been a difficult journey," she said. "It's hard to talk about without getting emotional."
Brethauer and her husband, Steve, were honored during the event. Edwards was not present.
Steve Brethauer started a support group for caregivers in Wray 10 or 15 years ago, Ann said, before her mother was diagnosed.
"You just gotta love those caretakers," Steve said. "They're in a tough spot."
"You have to take care of your own health or you won't be able to take care of your loved one," Ann said.
Also honored was the family of Jimmy Nukaya, including his daughter Lori Abney.
"It's pretty exciting," said Abney, whose mother died from the disease in 2008, her father was diagnosed in 2012.
She said her father, who is 90, has lived in Morgan County his whole life. He is now being cared for at Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center in Brush.
"He was born in Eben Ezer and that's probably where he will pass," Abney said. "Eben Ezer is a wonder place. We're just ever so fortunate that they're there."
Those who wish to continue to give to the Alzheimer's Association may do so by becoming an online WALKer. Visit alz.org/co[1] and look for the Fort Morgan WALK to learn more.
WALK award winners:
Top Three Individual
1. Susan Clifford
2. Patsy Johnson
3. Kindra Harms
Top Three Teams
1. Beta Epsilon
2. FMS Bank
Care Centers/ Team Names
1. Eben Ezer Elephants
2. Hillcrest Timeless Walkers
3. Tribute Homes Assisted Living
Contact Times Editor Rachel Alexander at 970-867-5651 ext. 230 or editor@fmtimes.com[3]
References
- ^ alz.org/co (www.alz.org)
- ^ 3.Morgan (www.3.Morgan)
- ^ editor@fmtimes.com (www.fortmorgantimes.com)
0 comments:
Post a Comment