Moving Motivator: Owensboro hosts Walk to End Alzheimer's event at Smothers Park
The weekend rain was long gone as hundreds gathered at Smothers Park on Sunday afternoon for the local 2024 Walk to End Alzheimer's event in an effort to raise both awareness and funds for care, support and research for the brain disease that affects nearly 7 million people in the United States.
A nationwide initiative headed by the Chicago-based nonprofit voluntary health organization Alzheimer's Association, Walk to End Alzheimer's is held annually in more than 600 communities throughout the country.
In a 2020 study by Alzheimer's Impact Movement in Washington, D.C., about 81,000 people 65 years old and older have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's — which is described as a neurodegenerative disease that affects a person's memory — in Kentucky alone.
Megan Irish, walk manager for the Alzheimer's Association's Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana Chapter, was pleased with both the weather and turnout of attendees.
"... Today was a perfect day," Irish said following the start of the walk on Sunday. "... We had a huge amount of walkup registrants today. ... I don't have the exact number, but I think we had about 400-450 people walkers ....."
Additionally, Irish said the walk, which was approximately one mile, raised about $51,000 — roughly 41% of its set goal of $125,000.
Though there is no cure for Alzheimer's, Irish — who also oversees the walks in Evansville and Jasper, Indiana — said the organization is in "an era of treatment" in terms of changing the disease's progression.
"... We are really pushing into research for different treatment methods," she said. "We had a few different treatments come onto the market and get FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approval this year, so it's very exciting.
"We want to keep up that momentum, so we are very ambitious in our fundraising goals."
While Irish said she's only been involved with the organization for six months, she finds its mission to be "a fantastic one" worth working towards.
"... Finding a cure so our loved ones have a healthy and happy life throughout the course of their life is really important," she said. "I do have personal connections (to Alzheimer's) — my grandpa, my great-grandpa (both) had it ...."
In her short tenure with the organization, Irish has personally met people affected by Alzheimer's and has seen "how widespread it really is in the community."
"... Just learning some of the statistics, if we continue on the path trajectory-wise, one in three people will have this disease by 2050," she said. "... Even if you're lucky enough to not have it somewhere in your family, that idea of 'I might be one in three (people)' one day I think is motivation to get involved and push further for that cure and those treatments."
For Owensboro resident Tina Coon, Alzheimer's has impacted her family for some time as her great-grandmother, Laura Rickard, and her paternal grandmother, Ocie Odena Coon, were diagnosed with the disease.
Coon, 45, took care of her grandmother after receiving her diagnosis in her late 70s. She passed away in April 2005 at the age of 84.
"It was tough," Coon said of the experience. "She wouldn't remember much ...."
Most recently, Coon's 66-year-old father, Ricky Coon Sr., received the news that he, too, had the disease but is currently receiving transfusion treatments in Paducah once a week.
"... It slows the Alzheimer's down and helps kind of keep the memory alive, and so far it's doing well," Coon said. "... He works, and drives and doing all kinds of things like that."
Coon, who has participated in multiple walking events, said she enjoys talking about her family's history with Alzheimer's and spreading awareness where she can.
"... Every time I walk, I'm hoping that someone donates money (so) we can (find a cure) .... A lot of people don't know about Alzheimer's until they are affected by it," she said. "... I'll always cherish (my grandmother's) memory and I'm going to fight for my dad."
Irish said the walk will continue raising funds until Dec. 31.
