HOLLAND, Michigan — The Walk to End Alzheimer's brought crowds by the hundred to Holland Saturday morning in honor of World Alzheimer's Day.
At Centennial Park on Central Avenue, over 200 people showed up to the annual event to support disease research and find community.
"Walk to End Alzheimer's is the world's largest fundraising event for Alzheimer's care, support and research, and we have a really fun morning today, different sponsor booths, different entertainment groups," said Rachel Dober, the Development Manager with the Alzheimer's Association.
Everyone in the crowd has been affected in some way or another by dementia. Dober is no exception.
"My grandpa had Alzheimer's disease. So I am really passionate about being able to support those who are currently caregivers or who have lost someone to the disease," she said.
To honor everyone's connection to Alzheimer's, there was a Promise Garden at Centennial Park. Eventgoers carry flowers with colors representing different associations to Alzheimer's. Purple for those that have lost loved ones to it, blue for those currently living with it, yellow for caregivers and orange for those who simply support the Alzheimer foundation's cause.
"That's a really touching part of the day," said Dober.
In Michigan, more than 202,800 people are living with the disease, the Alzheimer's Association reports. There are 380,000 unpaid caregivers statewide.
The organization was trying to raise $95,000 for care, support and research of Alzheimer's through the Saturday event. Last year, they raised $83,000.
You can donate on their website here.
