Quality of Life in Northern Nevada - Memory Walk

As you all know by now, I loving living and working in Northern Nevada. Part of the reason for that is all the wonderful giving and caring folks that live here with me. Sometimes being thankful for our quality of life means remembering those whose life has taken a much different direction.

I was talking (by email) with my friend Jenny on Friday and she reminded me that this year’s Memory Walk was coming up this next weekend in Carson City.

Jenny’s dad died from this horrible disease and her passionate speech from last year moved me to tears!

I have reprinted the press release and I have attached a youtube link of Jenny’s speech. It is stirring and we all need this kind of passion in our lives!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLqX6uONsro

This year's walk is scheduled for Saturday morning, September 26th at the Capitol grounds in Carson City starting at 8:00 am.

Here is the press release with information if you would like to join in the fight!

The Carson City Walk Committee has set a goal of raising $22,500. As of September 14, 2009 the Walk is at about 30% of that goal. The Committee is asking for the community’s help to MOVE them toward the goal!

Last year residents of South Lake Tahoe, Stateline, Gardnerville, Minden and Carson City helped raise $20,000 to help fight Alzheimer’s disease. This year the Carson City Walk Committee has set a goal of raising $22,500. As of September 14, 2009 the Walk is at about 30% of that goal. The Committee is asking for the community’s help to MOVE them toward the goal!

Today an estimated 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. It is the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S. Every 71 seconds, someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk® is the nation's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research. Held annually in hundreds of communities across the country, including Carson City and Reno, this inspiring event calls on volunteers of all ages to become champions in the fight against Alzheimer's disease.

The Capitol City Memory Walk route will be an approximately 2-mile course that winds along the blue trail through historic downtown Carson City.

There is no registration fee required to participate in the walk and show support for finding a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease. Each walker is encouraged to raise a minimum of $100 and with that amount of funds raised, each walker will receive a free t-shirt. Other prizes are available for walkers who raise additional money.

Check-in and registration for the Capitol City Memory Walk will begin at 8am on the Capital grounds with informational booths, silent auction items, and more set up on the east side of Highway 395. Walk festivities will kick off at 8:30am with music by Kit LeFerve. The opening ceremonies will begin at 9am with send-off greetings by Angie Pratt, Director of the Northern Nevada office of the Alzheimer’s Association.

For more information on signing up as a team with your friends, family, organization, register as an individual participant, or to sign up with an existing team, contact Jenny Haas at 775-586-5072 or visit www.alz.org and click on the “Memory Walk” section. It’s easy to register and raise funds online. Participants can even create their own web sites and personalize it with pictures and stories. The site allows participants to set fundraising goals and send e-mails to friends and family asking them to join and support the walker’s efforts.

The Alzheimer's Association, the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research, is dedicated to finding prevention methods, treatments and an eventual cure for Alzheimer’s. For information or assistance call the Northern Nevada HELPLINE: 800-272-3900. The Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk® is the nation's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research – and it calls on volunteers of all ages to become champions in the fight against this fatal disease. Since 1989, Memory Walk has raised more than $230 million for our cause. By joining Memory Walk, you’ll be walking with a purpose – and MOVING us ever closer to a world without Alzheimer's.

By the way, if in your head you are thinking of a little “Alzheimer’s joke” in response to this posting, take a moment to watch the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLqX6uONsro