Albion woman leads team in Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Provided photos: Pam Allen of Albion and her brother David Whittleton of Rochester participated in Saturday’s 2020 Walk to End Alzheimer’s. They walked along the towpath in Spencerport. Allen works as finance assistant for the Alzheimer’s Association, Rochester & Finger Lakes Region.
Press Release, Alzheimer’s Association, Rochester & Finger Lakes Region
ROCHESTER – The 2020 Walk to End Alzheimer’s took place on Saturday, raising awareness and funds for dementia care, support and research. The event looked different this year. More than 600 participants walked in small groups of friends and family on sidewalks and trails across the Greater Rochester region.
Pam Allen was joined by four of her college friends for the walk on Saturday.
Pam Allen of Albion and her team walked on the Erie Canal Towpath in Spencerport on Saturday morning. Allen was joined by her brother David Whittleton of Rochester, and four of her close college friends—Bonnie Cameron, Amy Gray, Amy Molina and Julie Stowell.
After being diagnosed in the mid-1980s, Allen’s grandmother Dorothy Whittleton lived with Alzheimer’s disease until 1996.
“Each year, I walk in honor of my grandmother, reflecting on all the memories I have of her and of other friends and family members who have lived with dementia or have been caregivers,” Allen said. “Together, we can move closer to finding our first survivor, but we need your help.”
Allen welcomed donations to the cause. Click here for more information.
The event kicked off with a video opening ceremony hosted by Maureen McGuire, News 8 anchor and volunteer chair of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s planning committee. Following small-group walks in their local communities, many participants drove by the Promise Garden, which was “planted” in honor of all those impacted by dementia. The view only, drive-by Promise Garden took place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Frontier Field VIP parking lot.
To date, participants of the Rochester Walk have already raised nearly $200,000 for dementia care, support and research. But the 2020 Walk to End Alzheimer’s fundraising continues through Dec. 31.
The Rochester Walk to End Alzheimer’s is supported by national presenting sponsors Edward Jones and CVS Health; p resenting sponsor Wegmans; premier sponsors Elderwood, Jewish Senior Life, Bausch+Lomb and Vaccinex; supporting sponsors Episcopal SeniorLife Communities, Friendly Senior Living, St. John’s and St. Ann’s Community; Promise Garden Sponsors Amica and Serenity; and media sponsor WROC-TV.
In New York State alone, there are more than 400,000 people who live with the disease and more than 1 million caregivers who provide unpaid care to their loved ones with dementia.
