Annual Walk to End Azheimer’s will see changes

The annual Walk to End Alzheimer's will look a little different this year, but the goal remains the same -- to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care, support and research.

Organizers for this year's event, which is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12, are currently looking for walkers and team captains.

The Walk to End Alzheimer's -- Gaston/Cleveland/Lincoln usually attracts thousands each year, but there will be changes this year due to social distancing and other restrictions in place to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Instead of hosting a large gathering, the Alzheimer's Association'sWestern Carolina Chapter is encouraging participants to walk as individuals or in small groups on sidewalks, tracks and trails across Gaston, Cleveland and Lincoln counties.

Hitting close to home

Roy Goforth and his wife, Dona, serve as the co-chairs for the Gaston/Cleveland/Lincoln county walk. As owners of the Home Instead Senior Care franchise in Gastonia, the couple first got involved in the walk 14 years ago since a large number of those patients they serve suffer from Alzheimer's or dementia. But the walk became much more personal a few years ago when Roy's father was diagnosed with dementia.

"We've been involved for many years, but it's now hitting closer to home," he said.

Some of the memories that have stuck with Goforth over the years are the stories of how the illness impacts families.

"It affects so much more than that person," he said.

More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease -- the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 16 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer's and other dementias. In North Carolina alone, there are more than 180,000 people living with the disease and 479,000 caregivers.

Three-tiered event

This year's Gaston/Cleveland/Lincoln walk will include three components, said a press release from the association's Western Carolina chapter based in Charlotte.

On walk day, an Opening Ceremony will feature local speakers and a presentation of Promise Flowers to honor the personal reasons participants join together to fight Alzheimer's and all other dementia. Those personal thoughts will be shared with all participants' smartphones, tablets and computers.

Next, everyone will walk in their own neighborhoods with their family and friends.

And finally, the Alzheimer's Association will create the iconic Promise Garden in a "view only" format that participants can drive by on walk day at to honor all those impacted by Alzheimer's.

Last year's walk had about 550 people show up at the Rotary Pavilion in downtown Gastonia with a goal of raising $85,000. This year, the goal has been raised to $90,000 and Goforth is hopeful there will be more participants this year.

"Now, the walk is going to be wherever you are," he said. "We're excited about that because it's going to expand possibilities for people."

An important effort

The Gaston/Cleveland/Lincoln counties walk is one of 19 the Alzheimer's Association hosts across North Carolina.

Goforth says more people are becoming aware of the disease and that is a blessing.

"Thirty years ago, you didn't hear the term. It was 'Uncle Ray's a little crazy.' Now, because of the awareness, people are more willing to share and push toward finding a cure," he said.

To register and receive the latest updates on any of this year's Walk to End Alzheimer's, visit alz.org/walk.

To sign up as a walker or team captain or to learn more about becoming a sponsor of Walk to End Alzheimer's – Gaston/Cleveland/Lincoln, visit act.alz.org/GastonClevelandLincoln or call 800-272-3900.

"We are looking for people that either want to walk, join a team or donate to the cause or even sponsor the walk," Goforth said. "All the money goes toward education, research and support groups."

You can reach Michael Banks at 704-869-1842, email mbanks@gastongazette.com and follow on Twitter @MichaelBanksNC.

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