BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Around 1,500 people made their way around ArtsQuest Saturday morning to end Alzheimer’s, a disease that affects millions of people in the US alone.
It was a beautiful day to try to help end the horrible disease.
“Dementia and Alzheimer’s really does touch all people’s lives. There’s no one demographic, so this is literally a special day in the Lehigh Valley,” said Tara Curtin, who helped organize the walk.
The walk benefits the Alzheimer’s Association. According to the organization, an estimated 7.4 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s Dementia.
Lee Ann Kirner lost her husband to the disease in 2023 and now pours her heart and soul into the organization.
“Our goal is a world without Alzheimer’s and dementia and for there to be a cure,” she said.
With hundreds of thousands raised, walkers made their way around the ArtsQuest campus with flowers in hand.
“The flowers depict who you’re walking for, so all the flowers have a color and special meaning,” explained Kirner.
“If it’s a yellow flower, it’s for caregivers; if it’s an orange flower, you support the cause; a purple flower is for those we’ve lost to Alzheimer’s and the blue is for those who are already diagnosed,” she explained.
The walk was not just about finding a cure; it’s also about spreading education on the importance of taking care of your brain, and for those going through it, knowing there’s a community to help.
“People with dementia and Alzheimer’s often want to keep that private and can suffer alone,” said Paul Geller, the executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association of the Southeastern PA Chapter.
“Those who are caring for their loved ones are in a very difficult spot as well, so to be part of the community and that support and have people connect with each other – that’s what we’re trying to do,” Geller added.
You can learn more about the Alzheimer’s Association or get support online at their website.