Alzheimer’s walk raises awareness

• More than 525 people showed up Sunday for the annual Walk To End Alzheimer’s.
• The Alzheimer’s Association reported raising $34,437 for the cause.
• Donations can be made through Oct. 31 at www.alz.org/walk.

Peggy Darling, of McLean, carried a purple flower on Sunday when she came to Cass Park for the Walk To End Alzheimer’s.

More than 525 people gathered at the park to honor those who have been touched by Alzheimer’s disease. Walkers were given different colored flowers to show how Alzheimer’s has affected their lives.

Darling’s purple flower was in recognition of the loss of her father, Charles Ingalls, who died in August from Lewy Body Disease, which causes dementia.

Other walkers carried blue flowers, representing they had Alzheimer’s or dementia; yellow if supporting or caring for someone with Alzheimer’s; or orange if supporting the cause and vision of a world without Alzheimer’s.

Jackie Harris, of Brooktondale, walked in support of her mother with dementia.

“I quit my job a couple of years ago from retail,” Harris said, “and now work in a nursing home and see the long-term effect from this terrible disease.” Harris works in dietary at Crown Center Nursing and Rehab in Cortland.

Several care facilities had employees walking in support of the those who have the disease.

Elizabeth Saracino, of Danby, brought her boxer, Mack, to join her on the walk. Saracino, who was part of a team of six people from Oak Hill Manor, works in the business office.

Robert Levine, of Ithaca, said he was proud to be a part of the walk. Levine walked as part of the Longview team, as well as the owner and geriatric care manager for Mindful Elder Care where he sees “many local people suffer from dementia, and it affects these individuals and their family members tremendously.” Levine said he also walked for his grandmother who died from Alzheimer’s when he was a boy, but he witnessed what the disease did to his grandmother and grandfather.

The three-mile walk was sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association of Central New York and raised $34,437. In addition to the walk, participants learned about Alzheimer’s disease, participating in clinical trials and using their voice to advocate for the cause. Walkers took part in a ceremony honoring those living with Alzheimer’s disease, as well as those who have died from the disease, and their caregivers. Eileen Willauer, of Ithaca, spoke about her own Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

Fundraising for the Walk To End Alzheimer’s continues through Oct. 31. For more information or to make a donation, visit alz.org/walk.