Our Stories

We WALK and donate because our loved ones have inspired us!

Chris Anderson’s Walk Story

By Why We Walk / August 25, 2021

Why did I get involved in this Walk to End Alzheimer’s? This is a personal story. I married my husband about 54 years ago. We were young, energetic, and a bit naïve as we began our life journey together. Both…

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Melissa Anderson’s Walk Story

By Why We Walk / July 22, 2021

It was the year 2001. I was on winter break from Sonoma State University. I had a scholarship for running hurdles on the track team and was studying Kinesiology.  I remember pulling into Grandma Ukropec’s snow-filled driveway and I noticed…

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Hanh H. Hoang’s Walk Story

By Why We Walk / July 22, 2021

Working with the Alzheimer’s Association has given me a lot of perspective on how dedicated everyone is to finding a cure for this disease. I have a passion to advocate and support the elderly community, and finding this organization was…

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Scott Lockhart’s Walk Story

By Why We Walk / July 21, 2021

My mother, Dorothy Lockhart, died in March 2016, from Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy Body Dementia. She was very fortunate to have a family who could support her during her final years in an Indianapolis memory care unit. I was not…

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Patti Wick Walks to End Alzheimer's

Patti Wick’s Walk Story

By Why We Walk / July 21, 2021

My mom and mother-in-law both died of Alzheimer’s. They were diagnosed a year apart and had the disease simultaneously for 12 years. They even ended up living in the same memory care community ten minutes from our home. Their journeys,…

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Honoring Fern Wick

By Why We Walk / July 14, 2021

My mom, Doris, and my mother-in-law, Fern, were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease a year apart and ended up living in the same assisted living/memory care facility. Their journeys, from the time they were diagnosed until they passed away, spanned 13…

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A White Flower for Alzherimer's First Survivor

Honoring Doris Carlquist

By Why We Walk / July 12, 2021

My mom, Doris, and my mother-in-law, Fern, were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease a year apart and ended up living in the same assisted living/memory care facility. Their journeys, from the time they were diagnosed until they passed away, spanned 13…

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Audrey Hibdon’s Mission Story

By Why We Walk / July 10, 2021

I started walking when I was 3 years old. That was when we moved to Northern California and my mom started working for the Alzheimer’s Association, so I have been helping and fundraising for Walk from a young age. My…

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A White Flower for Alzherimer's First Survivor

Sue Ramsey’s Mission Story

By Why We Walk / July 2, 2021

Like many of you, my first thought when I hear the term ‘Alzheimer’s’ is of my parents. My Dad was 66 years old when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, my Mom (his primary caregiver) was 63. I was in my…

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A White Flower for Alzherimer's First Survivor

Verna, Betty, and Lucille

By Why We Walk / June 23, 2021

They say when you have met one person with Alzheimer’s, you’ve met one person. Every journey and story is a little bit different. This couldn’t be more true than in the three women who taught me about dementia. When I…

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