ANAHEIM – About 6,000 people joined the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Angel Stadium in Anaheim Saturday.
The crowd included Mike Skelton, a Garden Grove man who carried a blue flower-shaped pinwheel, a symbol to other walkers that he is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Los Amigos High club volunteers cheer on walkers as they approach the Big A during the Walk to End Alzheimer's at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday. The Santa Ana resident volunteers are, Joseph Tran, 17, not shown or being blocked by Tina Le, 15 and Kelly Nguyen, 17.
KEN STEINHARDT, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
About Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's Disease is the most common form of dementia among older adults. The disease involves parts of the brain that control thought, memory and language and can seriously affect a person's ability to carry out daily activities. Scientists still do not know what causes Alzheimer's disease.
As many as five million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's disease, the sixth leading cause of death among American adults and the fifth leading cause of death for adults 65 and older. It is the fifth leading cause of death in California.
Deaths from Alzheimer's increased 68 percent between 2000 and 2010, while deaths from other major diseases, including the number one cause of death, heart disease, decreased.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Alzheimer's Association Orange County
How to help
Donations to Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's Orange County events will be accepted until mid-December. Visit alz.org/oc/.
Skelton, who was diagnosed 10 years ago, says his memory is good for now, but he also knows the disease within him is progressing slowly.
“Day by day, it’s hard,” said Skelton, 60. “I get angry when I ...
Click Here to login and see more!
[1]
0 comments:
Post a Comment