The MTSU Dean Hayes Track and Soccer Field was filled with a sea of purple with the Rutherford County Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday.
This event is held annually in more than 600 communities worldwide and is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care and research. The event consisted of a ceremony and a 2.8-mile walk.
This walk is incredibly important to the future of people who suffer from Alzheimer’s. Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s is incurable currently and has an impact on cognitive and memory skills. As difficult as it is for those who suffer from the disease, it is also incredibly hard for the family members involved. These family members often have the stress of caring for their loved one with Alzheimer’s and this often takes away fulfilment of life for the carer, as well as the emotional struggle of watching a loved one deteriorate. Sometimes, hospice care is a safer and more responsible option for patients to live out their final days in peace and comfort. Many hospice care facilities are available, such as Lakeside Manor, which you can click here to learn more about. This walk and the money raised is for a future where there will be no concerns with the deterioration of a family member or the stress of being a carer for that loved one, which is vital to the improvement of life.
The ceremony recognized those who have raised the most money towards the cause, granted the Melinda Vance award to an individual, and explained the meaning behind the Promise Garden. Currently, $218,255 has been raised for Alzheimer’s research. The Rutherford County walk has an ultimate goal of $310,000. The top fundraiser team is NHS with a current total of $45,598.53.
To donate towards the Rutherford County walk, or for more information regarding future events, contact Dena Oneal, the Walk Manager, at dkoneal@alz.org
The MTSU Dean Hayes Track and Soccer Field hosted the Walk to End Alzheimer’s event on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. (Kate Craighead / MTSU Sidelines)
Susan Carroll is announced as Caregiver of the Year. This award is given to someone who is a caregiver to someone with Alzheimer’s and goes above and beyond when doing so. The award is in memory of Melinda Vance, who played a key role in NHC’s involvement with the event. (Kate Craighead / MTSU Sidelines)
Susan Carroll happily receives the Melinda Vance Award from Emily Pegg, the mission chair of the committee for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. (Kate Craighead / MTSU Sidelines)
Jennifer Thompson shares her emotional story of her experience with Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s has affected Thompson in every decade of her life, and she states, “I don’t want it to affect another decade of anyone’s life.” (Kate Craighead / MTSU Sidelines)
Participants at the walk received Promise Garden flowers representing their connection to the disease. The orange flowers are for those who support the cause and vision of a world without Alzheimer’s. (Kate Craighead / MTSU Sidelines)
The Promise Garden flowers are shown to the crowd and their meanings are explained. The blue flower represents someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia. The yellow flower shows someone who is currently supporting or caring for someone with Alzheimer’s. The purple flower is for someone who has lost a loved one due to the disease. The orange flower is for everyone who supports the cause and vision of a world without Alzheimer’s. (Kate Craighead / MTSU Sidelines)
The flowers placed in the Promise Garden represent different people and their connection to the Alzheimer’s disease. The yellow flower pictured represents someone who is currently supporting or caring for a loved one with the disease. (Kate Craighead / MTSU Sidelines)
The white flower has not been added to the Promise Garden just yet but it is a hope that one day it will join the garden to represent those who survived Alzheimer’s. (Kate Craighead / MTSU Sidelines)
The Promise Garden flowers spin in the wind at the Walk to End Alzheimer’s event on Sept. 21st at the Dean Hayes Track and Soccer Field. (Kate Craighead / MTSU Sidelines)
After the Walk to End Alzheimer’s ceremony, participants line-up at the starting line to begin the walk. (Kate Craighead / MTSU Sidelines)
The large letters “END ALZ” are placed alongside the track with chalk for participants to write the names of their loved ones affected by the disease, write their name in support, and write words of encouragement. (Kate Craighead / MTSU Sidelines)
Volunteers for the event are stationed at the water station to re-hydrate participants during the walk. (Kate Craighead / MTSU Sidelines)
As participants raise their Promise Garden flowers, the Dean Hayes Track and Soccer Field slowly turns into a beautiful field of flowers. The flower colors represent each walker’s connection to Alzheimer’s. (Kate Craighead / MTSU Sidelines)
The Promise Garden flowers create a display of the many different people who have a connection to the Alzheimer’s disease. (Kate Craighead / MTSU Sidelines)
To contact News Editor Savannah Meade, email newseditor@mtsusidelines.com.
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