The steady drumbeat of raindrops might have delayed a group of dedicated walkers Saturday morning in St. Joseph, but it certainly didn't keep them from their appointed task — and it failed to even begin to put a damper on their fundraising goal. In fact, with more than 400 hearty walkers willing to slog through the early downpours below the bluff until a 30-minute delay was complete and the walking began, the goal was clearly within sight and then some.
Kristin Burt, who serves as Walk Manager for the Michigan Great Lakes Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, says, "Despite the rain, it was a wonderful event." She says that the $57,000 goal is closer by the day with $53,000 already in the bank and more pledges being accepted for those who were unable to attend or elected to stay home due to the Saturday morning storms.
Burt says, "With more than 180,000 in Michigan living with Alzheimer's disease and over half-a-million caregivers, it's a cause that has touched the lives of far too many St. Joseph area residents." She adds, "I think that's why the community really embraces it every year. It's inspiring to look out at a sea of purple and know we're making a difference."
Walk to End Alzheimer's participants did more than complete the two mile walk. They learned about Alzheimer's disease and how to get involved with the critical cause, from advocacy opportunities to clinical studies and support programs and services. The event also included an emotional tribute to those who have experienced, or are experiencing, Alzheimer's.
The disease is a growing epidemic and the nation's sixth-leading cause of death. As baby boomers age, the number of individuals living with Alzheimer's disease will rapidly escalate, increasing well beyond today's more than 5-million Americans to as many as 16-million by 2050. For additional information, or to make a donation, click the link below:
