Alzheimer’s walk

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class BrieAnna Stillman
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Typically, diseases are unforeseen and affect not only the host but their loved ones as well.

Alzheimer’s is no different. It is a disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions. Treatment can help, but it has yet to be cured.

Team Shaw had its first Alzheimer’s walk to raise money, bring awareness and find a cure for the disease. Each participant found sponsors to donate a certain amount of money per lap they completed around Memorial Lake.

“The Alzheimer’s Association doesn’t have anything in Sumter to bring awareness to the cause, so I wanted to bring it here,” said Senior Airman Elizabeth Barnes, U.S. Air Forces Central Command evaluations technician. “I thought the best place to start was Shaw.”

According to alz.org Alzheimer’s Facts and Figures Report, Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. 16.1 million Americans volunteer their time to care for people with the disease annually.

“Because things happen so suddenly, you forget to ask those questions about your family history or your grandparents’ lives in general,” said Senior Airman Kathryn Reaves, 20th Fighter Wing photojournalist. “When this kind of stuff happens to your family, you have to make the most out of the time that is left, so write down those memories, take video and photos so you can remember how they were because they could become a totally different person.”