Walk to End Alzheimer’s in North Naples raises awareness, money for research

Hundreds of  people participated in the 2018 Walk to End Alzheimer’s at North Collier Regional Park on Saturday morning.

The walk in North Naples raised more than $100,000 for education, support and research on Alzheimer’s disease through the nonprofit Alzheimer’s Association.

For many participants, the event was personal. Sheila Harris-Schutz's husband lived with the disease for eight years before he died last year, she said. 

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“We’re not dealing with the disease but the individual,” she said. “The human side of the disease is what’s so important.”

The event  began in brisk weather, with temperatures in the mid-50s for the 8 a.m. registration. But the sun soon began to warm the crowd as the band Bell Curve sang some tunes and the 9 a.m. opening ceremony started.

Attendees held up pinwheel flowers that symbolized their personal connections to the cause: orange for supporting it; yellow for caretakers; purple for those who lost someone; and blue for those who have Alzheimer’s disease.

There was one white flower, to be reserved for when researchers find a cure for the disease.

The opening ceremony featured several local leaders and organizers of the event. State Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, of Naples, gave a speech and cut the ribbon.

“We are going to fight until that disease is combated,” Passidomo said to the crowd. “Thank you all so much for what you do for our fellow citizens.”

Ashley Sorenson and Cameron Osman participated in the event as part of the Moorings Park team. Sorenson said she works with residents at the Moorings Park retirement community, and Osman said members of his family have had the disease.

The walk also was personal for Daniela Garcia, a Palmetto Ridge High senior who volunteered through the school’s National Honor Society chapter to help make the event possible.

“I also had a family member who had Alzheimer's, so the cause really resonates with me,” she said. “It’s a great way to help people get informed and help the community get involved.”

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Garcia helped set up before the event and collected names for Alzheimer’s-related petitions to send to Congress. She said she would help provide refreshments too.

The event had no shortage of volunteers; and companies provided water, bagels, coffee and other freebies for attendees. 

One company, Cognivue, sought to share information about its risk assessment test to identify cognitive changes that might indicate dementia or Alzheimer's disease. 

Heather Harris, clinical account manager with Cognivue Systems, noted the importance of early identification of Alzheimer's.

"Traditionally, we've waited too late to intervene," she said. 

Ann Lefcakis, director of development for the Alzheimer's Association’s Florida Gulf Coast chapter, said donations are a huge part of the event.

“By attending and making a donation, they’re helping accelerate progress for us to ultimately eliminate Alzheimer’s,” she said.

Jennifer Powell raised $10,200. The top team was Johnny’s Memory Keepers, which raised $11,210.