ALBANY – Norwich resident and Siena College alum Tiffany McNeil is set to walk in Albany on Saturday, Oct. 12, in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association in the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
This is the second year McNeil has been a member of a participating team, and this year’s goal for the group is $10,000. Thus far, they have raised almost 34 percent of their goal, $3,380.
“My college roommate works at Albany Medical Center in the Alzheimer’s Unit,” said McNeil when asked how she became involved and interested with the Alzheimer’s Association. She added it is important to help out when possible, and the walk – and its fundraising efforts – are a great opportunity for people to learn more about a disease that affects many individuals and families on a local level.
The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the country’s largest organized event with the goal of fostering cognizance regarding the diagnosis, care, support for those affected, and research. The walk is held at more than 600 locations nationwide. Other locations include Oneonta, Utica-Rome, Syracuse and Binghamton. McNeil’s connection with her Alma Mater is one of the driving forces behind her participation in the capital region’s event.
Per the Alzheimer’s Association, the walk unites entire communities, including family, friends, social and religious groups, and co-workers. McNeil’s involvement with the organization falls under this category, and she said she was glad to be able to get involved with such a cause.
While in Albany participating in the walk, McNeil will have the opportunity to learn more about the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, support programs for families and those afflicted, and services offered to various communities. By again participating in the walk she can then bring even more information back to the community than last year.
Founded in 1980, the mission of the Alzheimer’s Association is to, “eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health,” and the organization’s vision is a world free of Alzheimer’s.
The Alzheimer’s Association runs more than 4,500 support groups nationwide and provides online resources for families and caregivers through its Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregiver Center, which includes tools on coping with early-stage, middle-stage and late-stage care-giving.
For those interested, the association assists people in finding clinical trials through its free service, Alzheimer’s Association TrialMatch.
The organization additionally provides 20,000 educational programs and information in more than 15 languages. It also is the home of the largest library and resource center for Alzheimer’s in the United States – the Alzheimer’s Association Green-Field Library.
Safety services offered through the organization for those with Alzheimer’s include Comfort Zone, MedicAlert and +Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return – which all provide location management for people who wander.
The research grant program has awarded nearly $315 million to more than 2,200 scientists since 1982, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
“Witnessing a person with Alzheimer’s can be a scary and frightening experience,” said Norwich resident Karri O’Connor, who has had family members affected by Alzheimer’s. “It can be mentally and physically exhausting for those caring for their loved ones who are suffering. It is important that caretakers utilize the resources and support that is available to them throughout the community.”
McNeil is hopeful the team will reach its goal of funds raised and is also looking forward to the walk in a couple of weeks.
Those looking for more information on the 2013 Walk to End Alzheimer’s can visit act.alz.org. To make a donation to McNeil visit act.alz.org/site/TR/Walk/NY-NortheasternNewYork?px=6727231&pg=personal&fr_id=3580.