A walk to remember
From left, Edward Jones local chapter members Samantha Shutts, Lisa Kunkle and Tamie Phelps march to support the Walk to End Alzheimer's on Saturday at Riverstone Park. Edward Jones is a national sponsor for the Walk to End Alzheimer's.
From left, Dewey Berndt, Donna Kirsebom and Sheri Rardon chat about their family and friends who suffer from Alzheimer's at the Walk to End Alzheimer's on Saturday at Riverstone Park.
The starting line at Riverstone Park for the Walk to End Alzheimer's, a fundraising event Saturday to fund the Alzheimer's Association's research to find a cure.
COEUR d'ALENE — People in purple walked around the pond at Riverstone Park on Saturday in honor of loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease.
The Walk to End Alzheimer's was a fundraiser and awareness event to bring people together who suffer from or know people who suffer from Alzheimer’s.
Participant Sheri Rardon has been attending Alzheimer’s walks for seven years. Her uncle has vascular dementia and caring for him has been a challenge for the family.
“It’s pretty moving when the ceremony starts and flowers get raised for people who know people or are caregivers,” Rardon said.
Donna Kirsebom walked for her uncle, who died of Alzheimer’s disease.
“When I went to go visit, that’s when I really got to experience how he was, his behavior,” Kirsebom said. “For him, he did not remember me at all. Every time he saw me, if I walked into the room if I left just for a second he’d forget who I was."
Rardon raised $500 to contribute to the walk for her uncle, Bill, and friend Mike.
"That’s just my little part,” she said.
Donations go to the Alzheimer’s Association, a nonprofit organization that funds care and research for Alzheimer’s disease.
Rita Carlson raised the most, $7,000.
Thus far, teams, companies and participants have raised $29,394 of the $41,000 target to be hit by Dec. 31.
In the U.S., more than 6 million people are living with Alzheimer's, 27,000 of those are in Idaho, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
An important related estimate says upwards of 11 million in the U.S. are considered unpaid caretakers of those suffering from Alzheimer’s.
“Ultimately, the end of Alzheimer’s will come through research,” emcee Jay Daniels said.
The association is investing $360 million in 53 countries, Daniels said.
“All of your incredible efforts fuel the groundbreaking treatments,” he continued. “One day, we’re going to end the disease and we’re going to do it together.”
