“Walk to End Alzheimer’s” held in Wrightsville Beach

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH,  NC (WWAY) — On Saturday, November 4th, the “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” was held at Wrightsville Beach.

More than 900 people took part in the walk, which raised more than $154,000 for Alzheimer’s research.

For Jamillah Galvez, the walk was a very personal one for her. Her aunt passed away due to Alzheimer’s 15 years ago, and her neighbor Rose is currently battling the disease.

Galvez said the event is one way to show support for those living with the disease, as well as their family members.

“By us doing this and raising money, raising money is also so important for this cause,” Galvez said. “But by us doing this, we’re showing her husband and her family that they’re not alone in this plight, that we are with them.”

Jamillah walked with several of her friends in honor of Rose and her aunt.

“Because that is what this walk is about. It is about the support of a community coming together for such a great cause.”

Lisa Roberts lost her mother to Alzheimer’s 15 years ago.

She said it was difficult to deal with…but it ended up driving her to help others.

She now works as the executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association for Eastern North Carolina.

“I was helpless and that’s what so many people who have encountered this disease, you feel helpless,” Roberts said. “And I wanted to do something. So, I rallied my dad and the rest of my family and we raised money for research, we had a research benefit in honor of my mother.”