Over 100 people took part on Emporia’s annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Sunday.
The event generated around $14,000 over the weekend with more coming in.
Among those at the walk was Rena Traw, who has lost both her mother and mother-in-law to the disease and is now supporting her husband, who was diagnosed this past summer. Alzheimer’s has been gaining more attention over the past 20 years, but she says people still need to be educated about the disease. She also encouraged family members and caregivers to get involved in the local support group.
Emcee and KVOE Program Director Scott Hayes also briefly shared his experience with Alzheimer’s after his grandfather died from the disease and his dad developed early-onset Alzheimer’s.
Christie Miller was the top fundraiser with nearly $3,300 generated. The top fundraising team was ALZ in for Bob with almost $4,500 raised.
Alzheimer’s is now the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States, with deaths increasing almost 150 percent from 2000 to 2017. More than five million Americans now have Alzheimer’s.
Photos by Chuck Samples/KVOE News
{gallery}100619 Walk to End Alzheimers{/gallery}
