Rainy skies could do nothing to dampen the hope of residents walking toward a cure to Alzheimer’s disease this weekend.
Despite being moved indoors due to the rainfall, the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s took place Sunday at the Lyon County Fairgrounds Anderson Building. The educational fundraiser aids the Heart of America Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association in providing multiple services including informational materials and hotlines for those battling the disease and their loved ones.
As in year’s past, the walk began with a special flower ceremony, which organizer Cindy Miller says is a time to honor all of the lives that are affected by Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
The different colored flowers each carry a specific meaning with purple symbolizing those who have passed, blue for those currently battling Alzheimer’s and dementia, yellow honoring the caregivers and orange representing support of the Alzheimer’s Association’s cause. This year saw the inclusion of a white flower which acts as a beacon of hope symbolizing the first individual who will be cured of the disease.
As of the start of the walk Sunday, the event had generated over $15,000 of the $25,000 goal. Officially 105 individuals and 15 teams took part in this year’s walk.
One participant was Lacey Aurey who, with her family, was participating in her first Walk to End Alzheimer’s in honor of her grandfather.
The top individual fundraiser was Christie Miller with $1,555. The top team was ALZ in for Bob with 1,555 and the top group was Edward Jones raising $1,500. If you would still like to donate to the Alzheimer’s Association you can find a link to their website with this story at KVOE.com.
Final totals from the walk are still pending.
Photos by Tagan Trahoon/ KVOE News
{gallery}Walk to End ALZ{/gallery}
