MOSES LAKE – Flowers decorated with names of loved ones spun in the wind, children ran around filling the sidewalks with affirming messages, smiley faces and games of hopscotch, people pulled their purple shirts over their heads and began the walk.  

The Walk to End Alzheimer's returned to Moses Lake for 11 years in a row and this year the attendance was phenomenal, according to the walk co-organizer Julie Reathaford. 

“We had a lot more people show up this year, which gives me so much hope that we're going to grow this walk and grow awareness in the community,” Reathaford said. “I've got a personal stake, because I don't want any family members, or, for that matter, anybody else to have to go through what we went through.”

The day commenced with a colorful event known as "Colors of Life." Before the main walk, attendees were invited to decorate the sidewalks with chalk, creating affirming messages and artistic expressions. Phrases like “You Are Not Alone,” “End Alzheimer’s,” along with vibrant smiley faces and hearts filled the pathways. Children gleefully dashed around, enhancing the cheerful ambiance with hopscotch paths and doodles. 

“It is the pain of knowing that there's not a cure,” co-organizer Karisti Cox said. “It is the hardship of knowing that it might be my children that is, you know, dealing with this disease, and so for me, I can't idly set back and just hope that someone else takes care of it. It feels so wonderful to do something to help other people that are hurting. I am a warrior for those who have dementia and the caregivers so I just have the spirit of a warrior. I want to be there. I want to help them.” 

As the walk began, participants passed through an oversized inflatable star arch. The Moses Lake High School cheerleaders cheered energetically on the sidelines, bringing an infectious energy to the gathering. Many participants donned purple shirts, symbolizing their commitment to the fight against Alzheimer’s, while spinning flowers and name tags representing their beloved family members and friends affected by the disease. 

“We definitely have a lot more participants than last year, last year we had 60 participants total,” Reathaford said. “According to what we have in the system we have 171 participants this year and there are still applications that I need to put in. That’s fantastic.” 

The Moses Lake chapter of the Alzheimer’s Foundation also surpassed its fundraising efforts from the previous year. In 2022, the event raised about $17,000, while this year’s total reached more than $24,000, with three months remaining in the year. Reathaford encouraged attendees to continue supporting the cause: “People can attend other events and donate funds there or go to ACT.ALZ.org/moseslake to donate. 

“It’s so comforting, so emotional to be here right now,” Jon Lane, a participant of the walk said. “This is the first time I have walked out here but it’s a terrible disease. I hope they're getting closer to finding a cure, but it does take money, and it does take people who are committed to it, I know that when anyone goes through it, it's a family, it's a community that Alzheimer's or cancer, it's such an important support community that we all need.” 

Lane walked in honor of his mother, brother, sister-in-law, and his “best friend in the whole world,” all of whom had suffered from Alzheimer’s. Alongside him were his daughter and grandchildren, representing three generations united in support of the fight against the disease. 

“We just found it as an opportunity to just show our respect and also our desire for the cure,” Connie Meier, a participant of the walk said. “Just this morning, they had a beautiful program, a wonderful tribute. And we didn't expect any of that. We just thought we were going to walk, but it was very nice. Wonderful turn up. Just fantastic.” 

Meier walked with her daughter, Michelle Jacobson to celebrate and remember Mike Meier, Connie’s husband and a family friend, Norma Pittman. 

“Well, the disease is very, very hard on families and the dementia patient doesn't normally realize that they're going through what they're going through,” Meier said. “So, the families are the ones that and caregivers that have to suffer, suffer through all their stages and everything, and that's what they said on the stage, is that how the family caregiver givers suffer more than the patients.” 

Reathaford, said there is some positive news as of this year including the FDA approving two new drugs and a blood test to test for early onset dementia.  

“This disease challenges their very existence to live a normal life because of the way the brain cells die and break down,” Cox said. “So normal type of tasks like going to the bathroom, putting one foot in front of the other, brushing your teeth, the brain sometimes simply just shorts out and is incapable of putting one foot in front of the other and when you're trying to help them do something in order to keep their dignity intact, but their brain is not allowing them to do so, of course, it's terribly frustrating.” 

After the main event concluded, the Summerwood Alzheimer’s Special Care Center organized its own walk for residents, integrating activities that included decorating flowers and using chalk. The center also offers a monthly support group for families and caregivers, which meets on the fourth Thursday of each month; interested individuals can call 509-764-1900 to reserve their space. 

In addition to these initiatives, Summerwood Alzheimer’s Special Care Center announced its second annual “Dude! Where’s My Cart?” golf tournament to raise funds for Alzheimer’s research. Registration for this event closes Sept. 26, with the tournament scheduled for 10 a.m. Sept. 28. 

    Jon Lane, a participant of the Walk to end Alzheimer's finishes the walk on Sat. Lane was walking for his mother, brother, sister-in-law and his “best friend in the whole world.”
  

    Jessica Reardon and her dog, Stella, Walk to end Alzheimer's on Saturday. Reardon works for the Monroe House, a senior living community. “We are just out here to do what we can,” Reardon said.
  

    Connie Meier, left, and Michele Jacobson, right, walked for the first time at the Walk to End Alzheimer's. They said they were walking for Mike Meier, Connie’s husband and a family friend, Norma Pittman.
  

    Imelda Broyles helps Santigo Melara write “I (heart) grandpa” at the walk to end Alzheimer's on Sat.
  

    McCosh park was filled with signed flowers for those struggling or helping someone who has/or was struggling with Alzheimer's.