Memory Walk has big turnout
By RACHEL LANE, rlane@newsandsentinel.comArticle Photos
WILLIAMSTOWN - More than 400 area residents walked from Williamstown to Marietta and back in an effort to raise awareness of Alzheimer's disease.
The annual Memory Walk included about 35 teams walking about three and a half miles to raise awareness about Alzheimer's disease and to raise money for service, said Melissa Gandee, program director for the West Virginia Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.
"We have eight walks around the state. Our goal is to raise $300,000 and we're very close to that goal," she said.
Gandee said the walk has grown in number of people attending and number of activities and entertainment available.
"We have face painting, a massage chair, choirs and cheerleaders," she said. "Everyone seems to be in great spirits."
Gandee said the money raised will be used to fund some of the free services the association provides including educational packages, support groups and a 24-hour toll free hotline.
About 5.5 million people have the disease nationally and more than 1,800 people in Wood County have Alzheimer's disease. By the middle of the century, Gandee said, about 6 million people are expected to have Alzheimer's disease.
"I don't know anyone who doesn't know someone with Alzheimer's disease," she said.
Candace Jones, of Vienna, is a board member for the state association. She attended the walk for the first time Saturday, bringing her father, Carl Dollman. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease about five years ago.
"Alzheimer's disease is a very serious illness that most of us have been touched by," Jones said. "It's devastating for the patient and the family... It really affects the caregiver."
Jones said she hopes to see more services available for caregivers.
"Its very important we raise awareness and raise money for the organization," she said.
Bobby Vanclief, 15, and Emily Deitsch, 14, students at Parkersburg High School, were on Parkersburg Teens, a team of 13 PHS students.
"We're just trying to support the cause," said Vanclief, who participated last year after a friend invited him to walk.
This year, more friends were invited to walk.
"It was a lot of fun," Deitsch said of her first Memory Walk.
Deitsch and Vanclief said they have met Alzheimer's patients when visiting nursing homes with different organizations, but no one in their families or the families of close friends have had the disease.
"We just want to help," Vanclief said.
