Alzheimer’s Association aims to raise $165,000 at upcoming Walk to End Alzheimer’s

After raising $153,000 last year, the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association sets its sights on raising $165,000 by this upcoming September.

The kickoff for the walk took place last Thursday at Eagle Lanes, where members of the hosting non-profit organization, the Alzheimer’s Association, met to begin their team’s fundraising. All proceeds from the event go towards research, support and care for those affected by Alzheimer’s.

“We’re the largest private funder of Alzheimer’s research,” said Community Outreach Coordinator Julie St. Pierre, who works with the Oneida County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC).

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s fundraiser is held every year in over 600 communities across the nation. With 27 different walks found in Wisconsin last year, Rhinelander had the sixth largest walk in the state.

The location of the Hodag Dome in Rhinelander, where the walk will also be held this year, acts as a center point where people from multiple surrounding towns can join the walk.

“We work really hard to be inclusive of all communities in the area,” said St. Pierre.

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s fundraiser not only helps in financial aid, but also helps to provide a sense of comfort to those affected by Alzheimer’s.

“My favorite part about the event is that affected family and friends often feel alone due to the nature of the disease, but when they come to the Walk they see that they’re not alone,” said St. Pierre.

St. Pierre reflected on how families can feel helpless due to the lack of treatments for Alzheimer’s, but attending the walk gives them a sense of control knowing that they are taking part in something meaningful to the cause, as well as finding comfort in other affected members of the community.

“So many small communities are affected, and everybody comes together for it at the Walk,” said Dementia Care Specialist Leah Baughman of the Vilas County ADRC.

Baughman also recognized the growing elderly population in Vilas County, and how with age being the biggest risk factor of Alzheimer’s the lack of caregivers in the area is a prevalent issue.

Without proper treatment for Alzheimer’s as well as the lack of available caregivers and local facilities, Jim Brust, the chair of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, stresses how events like the walk are incredibly important to making efforts to advance research and spread awareness on the disease.

“It’s all about spreading awareness,” Brust said. “It’s amazing how generous the Northern Wisconsin communities are with their time and funds. The work we have done has helped to show that it’s okay to have certain diseases and not feel the need to hide it.”

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s this year will take place on Saturday, Sept. 20 at the Hodag Dome in Rhinelander. Participants can register online and join or start a team. Anyone who raises $100 or more will receive a free Walk to End Alzheimer’s t-shirt.

For more information, contact St. Pierre at 715-352-4091 or jstpierre@alz.org.