The Walk to End Alzheimer’s was held in Abilene on Saturday, September 19th and PGC students and their family and friends joined hundreds of Abilene residents who participated.PGC wishes to thank students Kaitlyn Bluford, Elaine Sullivan, Misty and Ephraim Schoephoerster, Stacia Long, Adelaide Rich, Lynn Fitzgerald, Jamie Gonzalez, and Mallory Wilkins.

Senior Mallory Wilkins described the day as a fun way to help a worthy cause, “From the warm-up exercises led by a dance tea to the Elvis impersonator performer, everyone that  attended had a blast!”

The walk’s goal was to raise money and awareness for Alzheimer’s disease, a form of dementia.

“One of the most touching scenes was that of each person carrying a flower pinwheel, each sporting a different color and meaning. Orange stood for a person supporting the cause, yellow for a person taking care of another with Alzheimer’s, purple for someone who had lost a loved one due to Alzheimer’s, and blue for someone who has Alzheimer’s,” recalled Wilkins.

At the end of the two-mile walk, each person planted their flower into the ground, creating a “garden” of hope and remembrance for those with Alzheimer’s. It was a beautiful and touching illustration. The day was gorgeous and cool; a perfect day for a walk in the park with the perfect common goal: to put an end to Alzheimer’s disease.

 

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ACU student Mallory Wilkins, one of the PGC student associates, and her two youngest siblings,         (l to r) Cash and Clara.

If you would like to contribute, please visit the Pruett Gerontology Team Page.