Alzheimer’s. A miserable disease for all involved. Unfortunately, I can say I have, and have had, family members that suffer/ed with this form of dementia, as well as other forms, on both sides of my family. It is a strange and sickening feeling to watch someone gradually forget you and most things, while they also slowly lose themselves. I can not imagine the toll it  takes on a spouse, although I did witness it. It is a sad and numbing disease, but there is always hope; and you can be a part of providing it.

Credit: Steph Marsh My Grandma Elaine with my Aunts Kathy, Suz, Linda, and my Cousin Steph at a Walk in 2017.
Credit: Steph Marsh
My Grandma Elaine lives with Alzheimer's; This is her with my Aunts Suzan, Kathy, Linda, and my Cousin Steph at a Alzheimer's Walk from 2017 in Cedar Rapids.
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Did you know that there are more than an estimated 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s currently, and that 1 out of every 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or some form of Dementia. Between 2019 and 2020, deaths from Alzheimer’s more than doubled. In fact, Alzheimer’s is a disease which kills more than both breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.

Credit: Steph Marsh
Credit: Steph Marsh
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Amazing people, with stories similar to my families, are walking to make a difference on Saturday, October 8th, in Dubuque, at the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Get to the American Trust River’s Edge Plaza for registration at 8am with a Ceremony to follow at 9. Then lace up and join the walk at 9:30. You can also register online ahead of time here or donate online anytime here. All participants must register and sign the standard waiver. The walk is a rain or shine event.

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All funds raised through Walk to End Alzheimer's further the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer's Association, which is a nonprofit organization. For anyone donating, all donations are tax-deductible. Each registered participant will receive a Promise Garden flower with each color representing a different connection to Alzheimer’s. Blue represents someone living with Alzheimer's or another dementia. Purple is for those who have lost a someone to the disease. Yellow represents someone who is currently supporting or caring for a person living with Alzheimer's. Orange is for those who support the cause and the Association's vision of a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia.

Credit: Walk to End Alzheimer's
Credit: Walk to End Alzheimer's
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There is no registration fee for the Walk, but each participant is asked to make a personal donation and commit to raising funds in the fight against Alzheimer's. Every registered participant who achieves the fundraising minimum of $100 receives an official Walk to End Alzheimer's T-shirt via USPS. To receive a shirt in time for Walk day, participants must raise $100 at least four weeks prior to the event.

Donations and raised funds can be delivered offline by submitting a check or money order by mail or hand-delivering it to the local Alzheimer's Association office. Include your offline donation form, which can be found in your Participant Center or on your fundraising web page, to make sure you receive credit for the donations. You can also deposit checks directly to your Walk page from the Walk to End Alzheimer's mobile app for iPhone or Android Device.

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