RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Despite the rain, more than 1,500 people attended the annual “Walk to end Alzheimer’s” in metro Richmond on Saturday. The Alzheimer’s Association Greater Richmond Chapter hosted the event to fundraise for the association and to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s Disease.
The Alzheimer’s Association estimates around 5.3 million Americans are currently living with the disease. It is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s.
Emily Turner said she walks, “for my grandmother that passed away in February and then mom, for my mother,” who currently has Alzheimer’s Disease. “I actually recently got into the nursing program and am looking to become a nurse looking to end Alzheimer’s and take care of those patients.”
Vickie Dowdy and her sister Kate Rodriguez walk in memory of their father, H.R. Sledd, who had Alzheimer’s and passed away in June.
Rodriguez said, “it still is horrible to watch the biggest greatest man you ever known to go down in such a way.” The sisters came to the walk hoping it would help them heal.
“You know you’re not alone in this and here you get to see it face to face that others are going through it too and it’s almost like, hey I’m doing it and you can do it too,” Dowdy said.
The 8News family participated in the walk Saturday and Chief Meteorologist John Bernier was the emcee.
$417-thousand dollars was raised at the event, including $700 a 10-year-old girl raised. Allyson Foor sold homemade “End Alzheimer’s” bracelets and donated all of the earnings to the Alzheimer’s Association. “I really enjoy the feeling of me helping everyone,” Foor said.
All of the money raised will go towards local educational and support programs and research to help find a cure. Donations are still being accepted on the Walk to End Alzheimer’s website until Dec. 15.
Click here to see photos from the walk.
