Terrebonne’s YMCA Memory Walk to benefit Alzheimer’s

Houma will host its first Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk on Saturday, May 31, starting at the YMCA at 103 Valhi Blvd. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m., and the one-to-two mile walk begins at 9 a.m.

The Memory Walk is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research. Since 1989, it has raised more than $265 million for the cause.

“This walk is different than other fundraising walks,” said Konni Champagne, southern regional director of the Alzheimer’s Association. “You don’t have to pledge a certain amount of money for every tenth of a mile. People donate whatever they want to donate.”

To register as a team or as an individual participant, visit alz.org/memorywalk online and click on the signup link.

“After (people) register, they can create your own Web site and personalize it with pictures and stories of a loved one who suffers from the disease, said Champagne. “If it’s a business that is starting a team to raise money, you can display the company logo.”

Participants can set a fundraising goal and send e-mails to everyone they know asking to join and support them.

Proceeds from the Memory Walk are divided between the local chapter and the national office in Chicago. If individuals make contributions and wish it to stay 100 percent local, they can.

For those who would like to volunteer rather than be in the Memory Walk, there will be a volunteer party at The Suites at Sugar Mill Point, tomorrow, May 22, at 6 p.m.

“We will show volunteers the logistics of how everything will be setup, what’s going to go on during the day and assign stations for people to volunteer,” Champagne said.

At the Memory Walk, everyone will receive a purple T-shirt with MOVE on the front.

“MOVE is our national slogan for our memory walks because we’re on the move to end Alzheimer’s,” said Champagne.

The Alzheimer’s Association also has VOICE T-shirts, which represent the public advocacy side, and HOPE, reflecting its hope that a cure will soon be found.

According to association researchers, Louisiana will soon see a 14 percent increase in people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.