Walk to End Alzheimer's Recap -- Year 2

Walk day with Papa's Team.

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  Two Sundays ago -- Grandparents Day -- the Portland Alzheimer's Association hosted their annual Walk to End Alzheimer's.

  As you may know, for the second straight year, I organized a team in memory of Papa -- my grandpa -- who we lost in 2009 to Alzheimer's after a 12 year bout.

Papa's Team, By the Numbers
  Thanks to you, Papa's Team raised $660.00. We landed a couple bucks short of last years numbers, but all in all I think we did a great job fundraising for a worthy cause.

  We had 14 total donors, many of whom were repeat donors from last year's team -- I can't thank you enough for showing an interest, contributing money, and helping out!

  Money raised from the Walk goes directly to funding care and support services, along with research efforts by the Alzheimer's Association.

Post-walk treats -- Mom and Nana.

Walk 2014
  Walk day participants for Papa's Team were down to three -- me, my mom, and Nana. But over the last several years of Papa's life, I remember many a-day spent -- the three of us and Papa. So it kind of seemed right to be with my mom and Nana on this day, remembering Papa.

  This year's walk was very similar to the year prior, even down to the hot, sunny afternoon on the race track. The Portland Chapter does a great job of making Walk more than just a 2+ mile walk around a race track. There's music, a car show, a kids' playhouse and food.

Purple flower for Papa.

  It's an afternoon event that an entire family can enjoy as they're raising awareness and money for those affected by Alzheimer's.

  What stood out again to me this year, as it did last, was the Promise Garden. Depending on how Alzheimer's has impacted your life, you're given a corresponding colored flower pinwheel:

• Blue represents someone with Alzheimer's or dementia.
• Purple is for someone who has lost a loved one to the disease.
• Yellow represents someone who is currently supporting or caring for someone with Alzheimer’s. 
• Orange is for everyone who supports the cause and vision of a world without Alzheimer’s.

  As walkers neared the finish line, we were allowed to 'plant' our flower. The garden that resulted from all the flowers makes for a very memorable image, representing the reach Alzheimer's has.

Portland Walk By the Numbers (all unofficial, as things are still being counted)

• Total Raised: $270,836.25
• Total Teams: 341 
• Total Walkers: 3,688

Pre-walk festivities.

Get Ready for Next Year
  As I promised last September, I hope to continue to make Papa's Team a yearly presence in Portland's Walk to End Alzheimer's. So mark your calendars!

  Many of our families have been affected by Alzheimer's in some way, so I'm happy to be able to raise awareness for the disease, and for the Alzheimer's Association. 

  And again, I'm so grateful for everyone who contributed, and helped me honor Papa in a small way.

  Thank you!

LINKS:

Koin 6 Story on Walk

Mom and I on the racetrack.

Walk to End Alzheimer's Countdown

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  T-minus one week and counting until the Walk to End Alzheimer's kicks off at Portland International Raceway on Sunday, September 7th.

  I know everyone's wallets have been opened this summer with the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. If you haven't yet put those wallets away, Papa's Team -- my family's team in memory of my grandpa, who we lost to Alzheimer's in 2009 -- would love your participation or your donation.

  As a quick reminder, The Alzheimer's Association's Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. It's held annually in more than 600 communities across the US.

  When you donate to the Walk to End Alzheimer's, your fundraising dollars directly fuel the Alzheimer's Association's mission-related initiatives of care, support and research. Their mission is: to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

Walk Day Schedule -- September 7th 2014

Registration: 12-2 

Live Music: 12:30-3:15 

Promise Garden Pick-Up/Decorating: 12-2 

Team Photos: 12-2 

Bus Rally/Voting: 12-2 

Car Show/Voting: 12-2 

Panorama Photo: 1:30 

Opening Ceremony: 1:45 

Bus Rally Winner: 2 

Walk Start: 2 

Car Show Winner: 2 

Route Length: 2.99 miles

  ***Between now and Saturday night -- September 6th, I will match all donations made by 'Social Media Friends' (People I've reached through social media...Mom, you don't count).*** 

  Donate to Papa's Team, or if you'd like to join us on Sunday, register for the walk by clicking on the links -- walking is free!

  Alzheimer's is a far-reaching disease that does not discriminate -- help us try to put an end to the 'long goodbyes' and see the Alzheimer's Association's vision: a world without Alzheimer's disease.

LINKS:

Join Papa's Team, or Donate to Our Team

RELATED POSTS:

Walking For Papa -- 2013

2014 Walk to End Alzheimer's -- Papa's Team Revival

Papa's Team's Revival

Papa's Team -- the 2013 rendition.

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  Last summer, I had the opportunity to lead a fundraising and walk effort on behalf of my grandpa benefiting the Alzheimer's Association. 

  Through the help of friends, family and loyal readers, Papa's Team was able to collect $700 for the Portland edition of the 2013 Walk to End Alzheimer's.

  After the walk last summer, I wanted to commit to making the walk a yearly event --to bring attention to the far-reaching disease, raise funds for an outstanding organization, and most importantly, walk in the memory of Papa each and every year.

  As promised, it's that time again to start leading fundraising efforts, and asking friends and family to join us for a walk at PIR in September. 

  Walk details are as follows:

2014 Walk to End Alzheimer's 

Portland, OR 

Date: Sunday, September 7, 2014 at 2pm 

Location: Portland International Raceway 

1940 North Victory Boulevard Portland, OR 97217 

Map 

Coordinator: Kara Busick 

Phone: 503-416-0209 

Email: kara.busick@alz.org

DONATE TO PAPA'S TEAM HERE
REGISTER TO WALK WITH US HERE

Why Walk is Important

Click for details about Alzheimer's.

  The Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Held annually in more than 600 communities across the country, the walk calls on participants of all ages and abilities to help affect the future for millions.

  Together, we can end Alzheimer’s disease -- the nation’s sixth-leading cause of death.

  The cost of care and support is rising on a yearly basis because the number of those living with Alzheimer's continues to grow exponentially. It is up to us to help ease those costs, and hopefully, eventually, find a cure.

  My family lost Papa to Alzheimer's in the Spring of 2009, after a 12-year bout with the disease. If our fundraising can help bring awareness to, aid a caregiver or family member, or eventually help with finding a cure, then we have done our job.

  I hope you can join us on September 7th, or donate on behalf of Papa's Team! Let me know if you have any questions.

LINKS:

Join Papa's Team, or Donate to our Cause

Walk FAQs

RELATED POSTS:

Papa's Team 2013 Walk to End Alzheimer's
2013 Walk to End Alzheimer's Recap -- Papa's Team

Nana & Papa

The Dresslers

My cousin, Robbie, & I with Papa.   

Nana & Papa on their anniversary in 2009. 

The Promise Garden at the 2013 Walk. 

Walk start like at Portland International Raceway.

The button I had made for Papa's Team.

Event Recap: Walk to End Alzheimer's

With Mom and Nana after the walk.

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  The Walk to End Alzheimer's was a huge success for Papa's Team!

  After fundraising for the majority of the summer, I can happily say that my team was able to contribute $700, thanks to many of you, to the Alzheimer's Association at September 8th's walk.

  We had 20 total donors, and seven walkers participate in memory of Papa in the walk on Sunday at Portland International Raceway.

Mom, Amy, Greg, & Mari -- part of Papa's Team!

  The walk itself was a fantastic event. Sunday, September 8th, was a beautiful, sunny day -- maybe a little warm for a midday walk on a black racetrack -- but we couldn't have asked for a better day!

  The walk took place at Portland International Raceway, a road race course in North Portland.

  Behind the bagpipes of Timber's Army members (the fan club for the MLS Portland Timbers walking in support of longtime Timber, Jimmy Conway) and several Timbers' players, the 2.5 mile walk got underway.

The Promise Garden -- a pretty cool visual.

  We walked and talked throughout the 2.5 mile loop; enjoyed each other's company and were happy to be contributing to a wonderful cause.

  Participation numbers were estimated at 4,500 walkers, but the racetrack was full (I'm still waiting on final participation numbers and total money raised (and our official team picture) from the Portland Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association).

  A neat feature of this year's walk was the Promise Garden. Depending on your relationship with Alzheimer's, each walker was given a corresponding color flower-pinwheel. This really allowed participants to visually see the impact Alzheimer's has on us as a society.

  A purple flower represented a loved one who has been lost to Alzheimer's. While an orange flower represented someone who doesn't have a direct tie to Alzheimer's, but is supporting the effort nonetheless. There were also yellow flowers for Alzheimer's sufferers still living, and blue flowers for care givers.

Purple promise flower for Papa.

  As we neared the finish line, walkers were allowed to 'plant' their promise flowers into the grass infield at PIR. It was a pretty powerful image.

  All in all, it was a pretty great afternoon!

  A huge thanks to those who were willing to donate! Your money is going to an excellent charity, and towards a cause that is in need of more funding across the board. And a extra-special thanks to the group of Twitter ladies who were nice enough to contribute! It means a lot when people support causes you find important.

The button I had made for Papa's Team participants.

  I hope to make Papa's Team an annual Walk to End Alzheimer's participant, as I think this is a very important cause. And I would love to honor Papa on a yearly basis. I know you're looking forward to my pestering when next summer rolls around, and I re-start Papa's Team fundraising!

  Next year, I hope to equal money raised, maybe even top it, and would love to see more participation in walk day festivities.

  Thanks again for the support. I am hugely appreciative!

Papa's Team representing on Walk day!

With Mari!

Me & Mom.

Me & Amy!

Gathering for the start at PIR.

Rounding the final curve.

Thank you!

Planting of the Promise Garden.

The Details: Walk to End Alzheimer's

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The Walk:
          When: Sunday September 8th, 2013 (National Grandparents Day)
                    Registration: 12:30pm
                    Start Time: 2pm
          Where: Portland International Raceway (PIR) | 1940 N. Victory Blvd.
          The Cost: It's free! All walkers must register, however, for event participation numbers (registration can be done here).
          The Fun: It's not just a 2-mile walk. Organizers are striving to make the Walk to End Alzheimer's a fun-filled, family event for everyone involved:

• Classic Car Show
• Kidz Zone featuring a bounce house, pumpkin patch, & the chance to see an ambulance up close & personal.
• Live band and entertainment
• Food vendors
• Participation by the Portland Timbers and the Timbers Army in honor of Hall of Famer Jimmy Conway.
• Promise Garden - depending on each walker's relation with Alzheimer's (sufferer, caregiver, loved-one who suffers), a color-specific flower will be placed in the Promise Garden, creating quite the visual with over 3,000 walkers anticipated.

Alzheimer's -- by the numbers.

The Cause:
     Today, there are over five million Americans living with Alzheimer's. By 2050, that number could triple.

      Research and support services need funding, and the Walk to End Alzheimer's provides just that. Since 1982, the Alzheimer's Association has granted over $300 million to scientists for studies and research.

     Nationwide, 651 walks raised $51.8 million last year. That money funds 4,500 support groups throughout the country, maintains the 24/7 support hotline (800.272.3900), and funds various research projects searching for answers to the Alzheimer's question.
 
The Fundraising:
     There are wide-scope efforts, company efforts, and small team efforts to help raise funds for the Alzheimer's Association through the Walk to End Alzheimer's. I have a relatively small family, but we are doing our best to add a few dollars to the cause.

     We have formed Papa's Team, and will be walking on September 8th, in honor of our Papa. Donate, register to walk with us -- do whatever you are able, and willing, to do!

     If you have any questions, comments, or even if you have a fundraising idea (orrrrrr, you work for a company that might be interested in taking part), please don't hesitate to contact me!

     We have roughly 40 days to go til walk-day, let's see how many dollars we can collect!

LINKS:
Donate to Papa's Team!
Register to Walk with Us!

RELATED POSTS:
Walking for Papa 

The Walk to End Alzheimer's

Nana and Papa 2001.

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  Late last summer I stumbled upon a fundraiser I wanted to participate in: The Walk to End Alzheimer's. I wanted to put a team together, of family members and friends, raise money to help put an end to the wide-reaching disease, and walk in honor of Papa.

  Since I was to be back in France in mid-August, and wouldn't be around for the walk in September, it didn't happen. Not in 2012 anyway.

  But I made note of the annual event, and here we are again, looking at the Walk to End Alzheimer's (the Portland edition) coming up on September 8th.

Papa and Sadie 2006.

  The Alzheimer's Association's Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. It's held annually in more than 600 communities across the US.

  Many of us, my family included, have lost a loved one far too soon because of Alzheimer's.

What is Alzheimer's?
  Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia (a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious
enough to interfere with daily life), and accounts for 50-80% of

Papa and Stella 2005.

all dementia cases.

  It's a progressive disease, where symptoms gradually worsen over time. The difficulty with Alzheimer's is that our loved ones are taken from us in mind, long before they're taken in body. Alzheimer's is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, and sufferers live an average of eight years after their symptoms become noticeable to others, but survival can range from four to 20 years, depending on age and other health conditions.

  Alzheimer's is not a normal part of aging, though the greatest risk factor is increasing age.

Nana and Papa on their anniversary in 2009.

  Currently, Alzheimer's has no cure, but treatments for symptoms are available and research continues. Current Alzheimer's treatments cannot stop Alzheimer's from progressing, they can temporarily slow the worsening of symptoms and improve quality of life for those with Alzheimer's, and their loved-ones and caregivers. 

  And though support groups (which can be found through your local hospital), as my grandma explained are helpful, and extremely beneficial, it should be noted that no two cases are the same. 

  Today, there is a worldwide effort under way to find better ways to treat the disease, delay its onset, and prevent it from developing.

The Dresslers 2001.

  Which is where the Walk to End Alzheimer's comes into play.

Alzheimer's and My Family
  Various health complications over the years led to Papa's bout with Alzheimer's. Nana first noted a decline in short term memory after his brain bleed in 1998. 

  That's when 'the Long Goodbye' began.

  What started out as 'Papa's bad memory' progressed to Sundowners syndrome, and over time into the disease we lost Papa in 2009. Because of it's variety, doctors termed it vascular dementia.

Thanksgiving 2003.

  Alzheimer's was a difficult disease to watch progress, even from a distance. Not only did it affect Papa, it affected everyone who loved him. 

  For roughly 12 years, Alzheimer's took its toll on Papa, and Nana, on a daily basis. My grandparents were married for 63 years, and they were together at every turn. Nana lovingly and loyally saw Papa through his bout with Alzheimer's (with the amazing help of some special care-givers at the Gardens in Forest Grove).

  While his last several years might be my most recent memories -- Papa stricken with Alzheimer's. The memories I treasure, and remember the most are: stealing his comb out of his back pocket (his white hair was always perfectly combed), playing catch with him, having him in the stands of my many sporting events, going out to his garden (and even eating the veggies that came from it -- I knew I had to at least try it if it was 'from Papa's garden'), frequent trips to DQ for a peanut buster parfait (for him) and a blizzard (for me), family vacations to the Oregon Coast, and of course, hearing the story (or was it stories?) of his lost index finger.

Hanging in Papa's garden with my cousin Robbie.

  Those are the memories of Papa I keep close.

   Unfortunately, Alzheimer's took Papa from us too soon. My hope, with the help of fundraisers like the Walk to End Alzheimer's and other efforts, research will continue, and Alzheimer's will cease affecting the lives of our loved ones.

The Walk's History
  In 1989, the first Memory Walk took place, with nine Alzheimer’s Association chapters raising $149,000 from 1249 participants.  By 1993, Memory Walk had grown into a nationwide event and raised $4.5 million at 167 locations.

  More than 39,000 teams participated in 2011 in 650 walks across the country, raising more than $47.2 million. The Alzheimer’s Association leads the way in the fight against the disease.

What is the Walk to End Alzheimer's?

Our Effort
  If you're in the Portland area this September 8th, please come join us at Portland International Raceway for the Walk to End Alzheimer's! I'm still learning more about the event, but will be posting updates and details as they become available.

  The walk is free to participate in. But even if you can't join us, my family's team -- Papa's Team, would love a donation on Papa's behalf. 

  Visit our team page for more information on the walk, donating, and event details. If you're outside the Portland area, you can even check to see if there's a walk coming up in your neck of the woods!

LINKS:
Join Papa's Team!
What is Alzheimer's?

The Walk to End Alzheimer's Frequently Asked Questions

Find a Walk in Your Area

Alzheimer's Association Fund Allocation -- Use of Funds

Event Details

2013 Walk to End Alzheimer's Portland, OR

Date: Sunday, September 8, 2013

Location: Portland International Raceway

1940 North Victory Boulevard

Portland, OR 97217

Map

Coordinator: Kara Busick

Phone: 503-416-0209

Email: kara.busick@alz.org