Gaston, Cleveland, Lincoln exceed $50,000 in fight vs. Alzheimer’s

Hundreds of residents from Gaston, Cleveland and Lincoln counties helped raise more than $50,000 in this year's Walk to End Alzheimer's.

Due to the coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic, participants walked as individuals and small groups on sidewalks, tracks and trails across the three-county area on Saturday, Sept. 12. The money will be used to fund the care, support and research programs of the Alzheimer's Association.

There were 210 participants on 43 teams who raised $50,654. The goal for this year's event was $90,000. Donations are still being accepted through Dec. 31 at act.alz.org/GastonClevelandLincoln.

"Many thanks to our walk participants, volunteers, sponsors and the communities of Gaston, Cleveland, and Lincoln counties for their hard work and efforts in making this year's event a success in spite of the obstacles this year has brought to our community," said Katherine Lambert, CEO of the Alzheimer's Association, Western Carolina Chapter. "We appreciate everyone creatively taking their own steps against Alzheimer's disease and to raise critical funds for Alzheimer's research and local support services."

Home Instead Senior Care in Gastonia was the top fundraising team at this year's Walk to End Alzheimer's, raising more than $10,000. The Home Instead Senior Care team is led by owners Roy and Dona Goforth and involves their staff, clients and families. The company has been involved for many years as a team, sponsor and as part of the Walk Planning Committee.

The other top fundraising teams include: Stanley Total Living Center ($3,951) and Kings Mountain Memory Walkers ($3,600).

"Congratulations to the top teams for their stellar fundraising efforts," Lambert said. "Together, we are showing the 180,000 North Carolina residents living with Alzheimer's and their families that we care and we will never give up in the fight to end this disease."

This year, time-honored components of the Walk to End Alzheimer's were replicated.

On walk day, an online Opening Ceremony, hosted by Ann Wyatt Little, anchor with the Fox 46 TV station in Charlotte, featured a presentation of Promise Flowers to honor the personal reasons participants join together to fight Alzheimer's and all other dementia.

Next, everyone walked in their own neighborhoods with their family and friends.

Finally, the Alzheimer's Association created the iconic Promise Garden in a "view only" format that participants drove by on walk day in Gastonia, Lincolnton and Shelby to honor all those impacted by Alzheimer's.

More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease – the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 16 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer's and other dementias. In North Carolina alone, there are more 180,000 people living with the disease and 479,000 caregivers.

You can reach Michael Banks at 704-869-1842, email mbanks@gastongazette.com and follow on Twitter @MichaelBanksNC.

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