Hundreds gather in Columbia for Walk to End Alzheimer’s

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Hundreds of people gathered at Stephens Lake Park on Saturday morning for the annual Walk to End Alzheimer's, raising money for research and support services for people affected by the disease.

Sarah Lovegreen, vice president of programs for the Alzheimer's Association's Missouri Chapter, said the organization has set a fundraising goal of $195,000 by the end of the year.

“Funds help support research, but also they help support care and support programs here in the community,” Lovegreen said.

Before Saturday's walk, the organization had raised more than $75,000 toward its goal. Walk coordinator Anthony Burt said donations collected Saturday would not be processed until Tuesday.

According to the Alzheimer's Association, about 122,000 Missourians ages 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's disease. The association also estimates that one in three seniors nationwide dies with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia.

“In Columbia, it's pretty similar to the rest of the state of Missouri,” Lovegreen said. “About one in nine individuals will have Alzheimer's or another dementia. Across the state, we have 122,000 people living with the disease, and over 220,000 people who are providing unpaid care.”

Age is the most common risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. People 65 and older are more likely to be diagnosed, and the risk increases with age.

Kristan Erdman traveled from Fayette to participate in the walk in honor of her uncle, Mike, who was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

“I think it's really important to be here to represent everybody that has family and is caregiving for someone that's living with the disease,” Erdman said.

Erdman said it has been difficult to watch her uncle navigate the changes brought on by the disease.

“It's been tough, but I think that he is strong and we are strong as a family,” she said. “We're going to do everything that we can do to fight for Mike.”

Sisters Marilyn Porter and Michaele Moore were among the approximately 500 people registered for Saturday's walk. Their mother lived with Alzheimer's for more than a decade before she died three years ago.

The sisters said watching their mother's condition decline was difficult, particularly as she eventually lost the ability to recognize them and care for herself.

“To see her go downhill like she did,” Porter said. “She didn't know us in the end. She couldn't do anything for herself in the end.”

Porter and Moore said participating in the walk allowed them to honor their mother while raising awareness about the disease.

Although there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, research continues to advance treatment options. The Food and Drug Administration has approved medications that may slow the disease’s progression, along with drug and non-drug approaches that can help manage symptoms.

Lecanemab, sold under the brand name Leqembi, received FDA approval in 2023 for treating early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. The antibody-based medication targets beta-amyloid plaques in the brain, which are linked to the disease, and has been shown to slow cognitive decline in eligible patients.

Donanemab is another FDA-approved treatment for early Alzheimer’s disease. Administered through an intravenous infusion every four weeks, the anti-amyloid antibody therapy is approved for people experiencing mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Lovegreen said the organization plans to hold additional events to help reach its $195,000 fundraising goal before the end of the year.

More information about upcoming events and ways to support the Alzheimer's Association is available through the Walk to End Alzheimer's website.

Check back for updates.