Community on The Move
On Sunday, September 15, 2024, Milwaukee’s lakefront, better known as Lake Michigan, was decorated with the color purple, the official color of Alzheimer’s awareness, as over 2,200 participants gathered on the Summerfest Festival Grounds in Milwaukee to prepare for the two-mile Annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s hosted by the Alzheimer’s Association.
A total of 255 teams formed by family, friends, allies, and those battling Alzheimer’s were welcomed on the park grounds to connect with community resources. $640,046 was raised out of the Alzheimer’s Association’s initial goal of $900,000. The funds will support the care and resources of those battling the disease and for further research.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, around 6.9 million people in the United States suffer from Alzheimer’s which affects one in nine people over the age of 65. The disease is a type of Dementia and accounts for 60-80% of Dementia cases. Dementia often refers to the symptoms of memory loss and the decline in reasoning and thinking skills. Alzheimer’s is a degenerative brain disease that develops after brain changes from cell damage.
Amanda Gabert is the walk manager for the Milwaukee branch of Walk to End Alzheimer’s. She has been with the organization for 10 years and wants everyone to feel welcome in the space to spread awareness.
“The walk is a super cool event because there are over 600 events across the country, and last year as a total nation, we were able to raise over $100 million for the Alzheimer’s Association through this event,” said Gabert.
Turning the Lakefront Purple
Each participant was given a Promise Garden Flower with varying colors to signify their connection with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. The colorful flowers also recognize each individual for their unique contributions and struggles on a personal level.
The event is free to everyone.
“We’re really, really trying to break the stigma that Alzheimer’s and other dementias have in the community, [and] in the world,” said Gabert. So we want everyone to come join us without there being financial responsibility.”
Teams enjoyed family activities like arts and crafts, and a duck pond. Caregivers could visit the caregiver tent and receive goodie bags and massages. An advocacy tent was also available where participants could learn more about how to help change legislative bills and policies to better support caregivers and those fighting the disease.
Organizations Banding Together
Several community organizations could be found inside the celebration including the University of Wisconsin-Madison Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Baird, UniversalHealthCare, Froedert the Medical College of Wisconsin, the Rotary Club of Milwaukee, and Milwaukee Northeast Sunrise Rotary Club.
Jim Miller of the Milwaukee Northeast Sunrise Rotary Club believes in the power of community coming together to support causes such as the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
“What you’re seeing is people here who have been impacted by this disease and it’s nondiscriminatory by no means, so this creates a level of awareness so that people can actually see that it’s real and what it really means to be a caregiver,” said Miller.
To learn more about the Alzheimer’s Association click here.
To watch Carvd N Stone 2024 Walk to End Alzehiemer’s interviews, click here.