Paducah, KY, November 26, 2019 – Close to 400 residents from the Purchase area joined the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s in the fight to end Alzheimer’s disease on October 26 at Bob Noble Park. Participants raised nearly $90,000 to fund Alzheimer’s care, support and research programs.
Currently, the Flanary Veterinary Clinic is the top fundraising team from this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Paducah, raising more than $15,600. LaNita Flanary is the team captain and just lost her ninety-year-old mother, Verna, to the disease last week. Verna had battled Alzheimer’s for 17 years.
In Kentucky alone, there are more than 73,000 people living with the disease and 273,000 caregivers. In the United States, more than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, the sixth-leading cause of death in and the only disease among the top 10 causes that cannot be cured, prevented or even slowed. Additionally, more than 16 million family and friends provide care to people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
Director of development for the Alzheimer’s Association – Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana Chapter, Sommer Lally, stated, “Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, research and support. These generous donations not only help continue research into a cure, but they also provide local programs and services for families in our community. No one should fight this disease alone. And they don’t have to. We’re here to help, whether it’s through a support group or our 24-hour Helpline.”
Despite another Walk Day filled with continuous rain, hundreds of dedicated people dressed in purple showed up to turn in their fundraising dollars and complete the two-mile Walk route. The event also included an emotional promise garden ceremony – a tribute to those who have experienced, or are experiencing, Alzheimer’s in their lives,
Lisa Schaefer, special events coordinator for the Alzheimer’s Association – Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana Chapter shared that, ”Rain never seems to stop the Walk in Paducah! We have a lot of dedicated participants that still join us for Walk to show their support in the battle to find a cure.” She added, “They are an inspiration to all of us and remind us why we continue to move forward with everything we do.”
Even though the 2019 Walk is over, we are still accepting donations through the end of the year to benefit it at http://act.alz.org/paducah.
Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s®
The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Since 1989, the Alzheimer’s Association mobilized millions of Americans in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk®; now the Alzheimer’s Association is continuing to lead the way with Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s Association®
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s research, care and support. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s®. Visit www.alz.org or call 800.272.3900.