Creating Hope with The Power of Knowledge: A Walk to End Alzheimer's

These signs were so helpful to direct everyone to the walk!

After volunteering at Autumn Leaves, an Alzheimer’s and Dementia residence home for the past year, I was ecstatic to join in the on the Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday November 12. Held in Fair Park in Dallas, TX, the event had an outstanding turn out. It was amazing to see so many supporters for Alzheimer’s research. As various teams made shirts, signs, and even umbrellas, the joy and enthusiasm of fighting this cause together radiated it from everyone’s face.

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research. Since 1989, they’ve mobilized millions of Americans in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk^®; now, they’re continuing to lead the way with the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s — the nation’s sixth-leading cause of death.

It was such an honor to meet these amazing ladies!

I, along with Mary Wahler, Miss Dallas County United States 2012 and Vivian Ta, Miss Texas United America 2011, loved getting everyone’s blood flowing before the 5K walk with some awesome dance moves, like YMCA, Cupid Shuffle, and Cha Cha Slide! The DJ was exceptionally marvelous and played some great music to keep everyone pumped up throughout the entire event. He brought back some great old school memories with some of my all-time favorite songs! I definitely had to give him major kudos for that!

I was literally saying "YEAH!!!"

But my absolute favorite part of the entire morning was spent with the wonderful Sandy James, Mrs. Tarrant County International 2012. It was the most joyful experience encouraging the walkers at the finish line! The smile on everyone’s faces gleamed as we high-fived them and cheered them on! Walkers ranged from infants in strollers to Alzheimer’s patients themselves in wheelchairs; we even had canine supporters as well!