Susan Harvell, with early onset of Alzheimer's, will be participating in the Alzheimer's walk October 5, in Aptos. She's pictured with her husband, David Baker. (Dan Coyro/Sentinel)
SANTA CRUZ -- For 54-year-old Susan Harvell of Capitola, the Alzheimer's Association's annual Walk to End Alzheimer's fundraiser in Aptos isn't just a good cause. It's personal.
The active and energetic woman who looks at least 10 years younger than her chronological age was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease in 2012. Once she and her husband, Dave Baker, had a chance to come to terms with the shocking news, they decided to fight back. Rather than keep quiet about the devastating diagnosis, Harvell decided to go public and do what she can to raise awareness, raise money for research and speak out about her condition.
"I said I'm going to take one for the team," Harvell said, who worked as a human resource director for several different high tech firms prior to her diagnosis. "It's my new job."
That job entails discussing the challenges of living with Alzheimer's disease before a national audience, participating in drug trials, speaking locally, and helping raise funds for research. Her next public talk will be in Aptos on Oct. 5 at the Walk to End Alzheimer's fundraiser.
Baker, who cut his work schedule to take care of Harvell, has been with her every step of the way. In early September the two flew to New York to take part in a series of special news reports with NBC about the disease. Hosted by Andrea Mitchell, the segments aired nationally and drew attention to the disease, which is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. according to the Alzheimer's Association. The most common form of dementia, Alzheimer's costs the nation $203 billion annually, the group reported. That's in addition to the estimated 17.5 billion unpaid hours of caretaking by family and friends.
Alzheimer's is a progressive neurological disease characterized by memory loss, difficult speaking, trouble recognizing family and friends, and the ability to perform daily tasks. The majority of the patients are older than age 65. However, as Harvell and Baker know all too well, Alzheimer's disease can strike younger people as well. Nationally, more than 5.5 million people are living with Alzheimer's, including roughly 200,000 who have the early-onset disease afflicting Harvell.
There are more than 3,700 Santa Cruz County residents have the disease, according to Sarah Towey, the communications coordinator with the Northern California and Northern Nevada Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. With the rising number of aging Baby Boomers, Towey said the number of local cases is expected to double by the year 2030.
Despite its prevalence, government funding for Alzheimer's research is the lowest of all major diseases, receiving just $500 million in funding last year, Baker said.
"We need the research and the support for families," Baker said. "This is just crazy."
To help fill that gap, the national Alzheimer's Association began its Memory Walks in 1989. Participants from nine chapters took part, and raised $149,000. The fund raiser expanded nationwide by 1993. Today, the walks are held in 600 communities, including 17 in the Northern California and Northern Arizona chapters. Fund raising amounts have also increased. In 2011, walkers raised $47.2 million.
Last year, "Team Susan" raised more than $10,000 during the walk. Harvell said she hopes to raise a similar amount this year. To contribute to Harvell's efforts, visit http://www.ittybittyurl.com/1ljK[1] .
Follow Sentinel correspondent Terri Morgan at www.twitter.com/soquelterri[2]
IF YOU GO
Walk to End Alzheimer's
WHEN: 10 a.m. start, 8:30 a.m. check-in Oct. 5
WHERE: Seascape Park in Aptos
information: www.alz.org/norcal/[3]
References
- ^ http://www.ittybittyurl.com/1ljK (www.ittybittyurl.com)
- ^ www.twitter.com/soquelterri (www.twitter.com)
- ^ www.alz.org/norcal/ (www.alz.org)
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