Alzheimer’s walk raises awareness for disease

Linda Synden is all too familiar with the impact of Alzheimer’s disease. Synden’s husband was diagnosed at age 57. She spent 10 years caring for him at home before he died.

“This is very near and dear to my heart,” Synden said.

Synden was one of 369 people, on 73 teams, who signed up to take part in the 2024 Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Rehoboth Beach Sept. 14. She was also the walk’s top individual fundraiser, collecting $5,120 on her own.

“If Alzheimer’s isn’t touching you now, it will touch you somewhere along the line,” she said.

As with Synden, Alzheimer’s is personal for those put on purple and headed out around town.

The Rehoboth Beach walk is one of 600 across the country.

“Alzheimer’s can be very isolating. This is the time where we come together and support each other, support the cause, raise funds and raise awareness,” said Linda Barba, senior manager of marketing communications for the Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter.

Barba said this year’s goal was to raise $198,000 for caregiving and support groups.

“We raised $100 million across the country last year and funded $100 million in research,” Barba said. “There are now some treatments for people in early stages.”

This year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s kicked off in Grove Park and wound its way through the city. 

Walkers carried different color flowers representing how the disease has touched their lives: purple, for those who have lost someone to Alzheimer’s; yellow, for those caring for somebody with Alzheimer’s; blue, for those who are living with the disease; and orange, for those supporting the cause.

A single white flower was held up to represent the first survivor of Alzheimer’s, which is what everyone is striving for.

Patty Shipper was walking for her ninth year on behalf of her mother, Bernadette Adack.

“It’s a great way to honor the memory of someone who has passed from the disease, support the community and other people who are going through this,” Shipper said.

Twelve students from Delaware State University’s Hornets in Motion group came to support the cause. 

Madison Ray-Stokes, communications liaison for Hornets in Motion, said the group has been walking the last few years. 

“We think it’s important to collaborate with people such as the Alzheimer’s Association. A lot of us personally know people with Alzheimer’s, and it’s a great way to give back,” Ray-Stokes said.

Ken Suter, who does community outreach for the Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter, said the community is at a critical stage in how they live with the disease.

“It’s a growing issue in our community, because we are living so much longer. We really need education and fundraising to cure it,” Suter said.

For more information and to donate, go to alz.org/walk and search for the Rehoboth Beach Walk to End Alzheimer’s.