Over 400 participants were expected to take part in Augusta’s 2024 Walk to End Alzheimer’s, an event by the Alzheimer’s Association that raises funds for caregiver support, advocacy and Alzheimer’s research.
However, as of Saturday afternoon, 511 participants had registered for the walk, and 68% of the fundraisers monetary goal had been achieved; over $51K was raised for the cause on the day of the walk, out of a goal of $75K. “We want to make sure that we’re giving back to the community as much as possible,” said Haile Urquhart, Senior Director for all walks statewide.
The Augusta walk is one of 20 in Georgia, and one of 600 throughout the nation.
Promise Garden
A highlight of the event, according to Urquhart, is the Promise Garden.
This ceremony consists of walkers “planting” and writing personal messages on artificial flowers, whose different colors represent different stages of the degenerative illness.
A Promise Garden ceremony culminates with one person carrying a white flower, which represents the hope of finding a cure. “It’s a very powerful moment,” said Urquhart.
Education and support
Alexis Williams, program manager, said that the Alzheimer’s Association aims to educate on the warning signs of Alzheimer’s as well as ways to lower your risk factor. “It’s not a normal part of aging,” said Williams of the disease. “You could be 100 without symptoms, you could be 30 with symptoms.”
She highlighted that people with Alzheimer-related concerns for themselves or loved ones should advocate for themselves to get support. She recommended that people with questions or concerns contact the Alzheimer’s Association helpline at 1-(800)-272-3900.
Impact on caregivers
Willie Boyd attended the walk on Saturday morning in honor of her mother, who recently passed away due to Alzheimer’s.
“I don’t think that people really understand how it really impacts the person who has it and the family members or caretakers who take care of them,” said Boyd, who took care of her mother by herself for over three years. “When you see your loved one decline, it’s not good.”
She said that she appreciated seeing many other people coming out to walk. “This is something that really needs more attention than what I think it gets…Alzheimer’s seems to be increasing,” she said.
Creating community
Mizan Barnes, a caregiver with assisted living facility Thrive at Augusta, said she was pleasantly surprised by the large turnout at the event.
“It’s a lot bigger than I thought,” said Barnes, who brought ladies from her memory care unit out to the walk on Saturday. “It’s fun. It’s more lighthearted than I thought, I thought it was going to be more like, you know, sad, but it’s not…it’s good vibes.”
Barnes said that events like the walk are key in bringing people with similar struggles together. “A lot of the families that I interact with, they always seem alone and they don’t really know where to go,” she said. “So I feel like this creates community.”
