Sabrina's Crossing -- An athlete's life on the road: Event Recap: Walk to End Alzheimer's

Friday, September 13, 2013

Event Recap: Walk to End Alzheimer's

With Mom and Nana after the walk.

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!