More than 8,400 Alaskans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease – the most common form of dementia – but Cordovans have always had to travel to other areas of the state to participate in annual fundraiser walks to raise awareness of the disease. But not anymore.
That’s after local resident and City Council Member Debra Adams and others brought a remote version of the nationwide annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s to Cordova last weekend.
“Coming from Cordova involves a day of travel to join a walk in Kenai or Fairbanks, so I suggested walking remotely at the same time,” Adams, who led the charge in Cordova, said.
The nonprofit Alzheimer’s Association organizes walks in more than 600 communities across the country in September and October, which also serve as fundraisers for research about the neurological disorder that causes memory and cognitive loss. The association only hosts three walks in Alaska – in Anchorage, Fairbanks and on the Kenai Peninsula.
But for Adams, she said the disease extends beyond the state’s major hubs.
“Alzheimer’s and dementia have touched many in my small community,” she said. “My hope is to show my friends and neighbors that they do not walk this journey alone.”
She said she personally approached a handful of Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers in Cordova about doing their own walk. But with the busy fall season – including everything from fishing and Fungus Festival to oil spill drills and hunting – she said it’d be a reach to plan something larger.
“It would have been impossible to organize another big event, hence a small group of us walking together out the road and sharing a coffee when we were done,” Adams said. “I hope to set up a larger walk event in the future. For now, this is my modest contribution.”
Amie Northagen, marketing communications manager for the Alzheimer’s Association, said it’s inspiring when people organize their own walks.
“Alzheimer’s doesn’t care where you’re from or how big your town is; this disease affects everyone,” she said. “Seeing awareness reach more places like Cordova means more people can connect with resources, and communities can come together to support caregivers and fight the disease.”
She added that she hopes more communities will follow Adams’ lead.
“Inspired by Debra and her team, we hope more Alaskans will join the movement by walking in their own communities if they can’t attend a larger event,” Northagen said. “Simply register for any Alaska walk, put on your favorite purple, rally your team to fundraise, and hit your favorite trail to help end Alzheimer’s.”
To learn more about the nationwide Walk to End Alzheimer’s, visit act.alz.org.
