It begins with something small – forgetting what you did yesterday, misplacing your keys, repeating questions – things that everyone does at some point or another. Soon it gets worse. Soon, you don’t remember when your birthday is, which drawer the forks are in or your child’s name. The world becomes a confusing, frightening puzzle, the pieces of which have been stored away in a slowly vanishing box.

This is the reality for over 55 million individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease, a degenerative illness that indiscriminately eats away at the brain’s cognitive functions. Those diagnosed are given eight to 10 years to live, sometimes less, and while there is currently no cure, all hope is not lost.

On Saturday, Sept. 27, supporters of the Alzheimer’s Association and advocates for awareness of other dementias gathered in Lower Harbor Park for the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Those in attendance were encouraged to donate to the nonprofit organization, which is dedicated to spreading awareness, raising money to further research efforts and aiding those affected by the disease.

Cierra Oakley, an NMU student and volunteer at the event, spoke on the importance of educating those unaware of Alzheimer’s negative impacts.

“I work at a local nursing home. I see how this affects families every day – it hurts them,” Oakley said. “If we can find a way to help people remember longer, that’s great.”

A hallmark of modern dementia treatment is its emphasis on physical activity, with low levels of exertion being attributed to a higher risk of cognitive decline. To emphasize the importance of exercise, attendees of the event, in addition to their walk, were led in a Zumba-like dance by the assistant development director of the association.

Chris Shawa, a junior at NMU who assisted in setting up the event, shared his own thoughts on the Alzheimer’s crisis.

“It’s an epidemic,” Shawa said. “It’s important to raise awareness so that more people can recognize it and understand how to help those who are affected by it.”

Currently, the Alzheimer’s Association has over $400 million invested in more than 1,000 projects actively researching treatment and a potential cure for the disease. In 2022 alone, over $3.7 billion was dedicated to the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) Alzheimer’s and dementia funding, garnering support from across the political spectrum.

The number of individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is expected to double by 2050. As such, the importance of its awareness and reseach funding has never been greater than in the present. If the search for better treatment options and a potential cure is halted, hundreds of millions will suffer, and billions more will be affected.

If you were unable to attend the Walk to End Alzheimer’s but are interested in learning more about the cause, head to the Alzheimer’s Association website for more information about the disease and the ways in which you can support those afflicted by it.