People come out to walk for memory at CSUF

 Signs bearing the names of family  and friends flooded the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk held at Cal State University Fullerton last Saturday. 

Over 3800 volunteers and walkers attended the event, raising over $360,000 to battle the disease.

Alzheimer’s disease, which affects 5.3 million Americans, is the seventh-leading cause of death in the country. It destroys the brain cells, robbing the victim of memories and behavioral and motor skills. 

The Memory Walk is the nation’s largest event that educates and raises funds towards Alzheimer’s research. 

Since 1989, the walk has raised over $260 million towards the fight against Alzheimer’s. 

“Every little bit counts because there are still thousands of people still living with this disease that don’t know that we are here, that we can help them,” said Lynn Mullowney, director of development at AA.

Family, friends and community members had a chance to battle the disease on their own front by walking two routes that encompassed the CSUF campus. 

Participants registered in teams of 10-12 and were able to choose the two-mile option or a five-mile option. 

The Memory Walk featured a candle-lighting service before the walk began, live entertainment, food vendors and many exhibitors. At the end of the walk, awards were presented to top fundraising teams, individuals and youths. 

“There is awareness at every level here; it’s not just an old person sickness. It affects every family in one way or another. There’s a sense of camaraderie and unity in the air here—it’s amazing,” said Katrina Torres, participant. 

For other participants, simply attending the event brought about knowledge and a desire to rally for an Alzheimers cure. 

“You don’t really know much about Alzheimer’s but then you come out here and see everyone with their signs and realize how many people it really affects,” said University of  California Riverside student, Courtney Potter. 

 Huntington Beach will host their Memory Walk on Saturday, Oct. 31. For more information, visit www.alz.org/memorywalk.