Walk to End Alzheimer’s hits 42K fundraising goal in Pocatello

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – The Walk to End Alzheimer's is the largest fundraiser for the Alzheimer's Association, taking walks around the country and raising awareness for dementia diseases. On Saturday, September 19, hundreds showed up to Cotant Park in Pocatello for the Walk to End Alzheimer's.

Shelly Jones, the Southeast Idaho Walk Manager, said the event exists not only to raise funds for research, but to support those with the disease and caregivers.

"It's a day of hope," Jones said. "It's just a day to come together and not feel like they're alone. Awareness is so important and a lot of people are isolated and don't know where to go when they get diagnosed or have a loved one with this disease."

Everyone at the walk chooses a colored flower, each representing a connection to Alzheimer's. Orange flowers represent someone who supports the cause, purple mean they've lost someone to the disease, yellow indicates they are a caregiver to someone with the disease, and blue means they're living with Alzheimer's. The sea of multicolor flowers present at the park in Pocatello show just how widespread the disease is amongst the community.

"It's just emotional, this disease touches so many people in one way or the other, so it's a day for people to look around and be like, I'm not the only one," Jones said. "It's just incredible and humbling."

There is also one white flower at each Walk to End Alzheimer's, representing the hope for a cure and the first survivor of the disease.

Jones also said they had the goal of $42,000 for the fundraiser and they were able to hit the goal. "I'm super excited, so thanks to the community for all their support," Jones said.

To donate to the Walk to End Alzheimer's, you can visit act.alz.org.