By Sarah Osment Alzheimer’s is not a stranger in my household. Growing up, I remember 15-minute car rides with my Nanny, Lillian Lacy, where she would comment, “The corn sure is getting high,” no less than 15 times. (My parents live near Mennonite farms.) I remember the emotions of moving my grandparents to a home […]
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Pete Bradham of Charlotte, N.C. first became aware of Alzheimer’s when he was 13 years old. His grandfather’s vibrant and fun personality was slowly fading away due to the disease. Then he watched his own father Rodney become incredibly anxious about one day having Alzheimer’s, just like his dad. At the time, the family just […]
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Karen Barnes didn’t always speak openly about the emotional toll of her husband Tim’s diagnosis of younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease. But today, she shares her story with honesty and strength—because, as she says, “It’s important to acknowledge the reality of this disease.” That reality is complex and painful, but Karen also radiates hope. She lights up when […]
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This month, your Walk to End Alzheimer’s® team has the chance to shine and be recognized for your incredible efforts. Help your team stand out and get the recognition you deserve on Walk Day with two exciting opportunities to earn custom team signage that will showcase your dedication: BETWEEN AUGUST 11 – 29 … To […]
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We are hosting some fun kickoff events to welcome and inspire you this Walk to End Alzheimer’s season! Whether it’s your first time participating or you’re a seasoned pro, we invite you to connect with other Team Captains, learn about our fundraising tools, pick up Walk supplies and get motivated to help us have the […]
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As Lynn Wenger stood at the Promise Garden Ceremony during the Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Iredell Co. & Lake Norman last year, he held a purple flower high—a symbol of someone lost to Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. In that moment, he reflected on how he had come to be there, honoring the […]
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Darrell and Esther Plyter grew up in the same community—Esther on a farm in the countryside and Darrell in town—but they attended the same school and shared a circle of friends in Williamson, N.Y. After graduating high school, they were apart for over a year while Esther pursued secretarial training. Upon her return, they became […]
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Elena Bare first learned about the Alzheimer’s Association in 2022 from a colleague at her job at Wayne-Sanderson Farms in Dobson, N.C. Sadly, this was just two months before her husband passed away from the disease, after living with it for six years. Now, she’s a passionate advocate for raising awareness in rural communities about […]
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By the time J.J. Denison was six years old, he had already witnessed the impact of Alzheimer’s on his family. He had a front-row seat as his mother cared for her father and became his advocate. J.J. joined her on this journey and is now making his own mark—shining a light on the fight against […]
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Have you registered for Walk to End Alzheimer’s 2025? Participant fundraising is already heating up for our fall walks, and the Alzheimer’s Association chapters in North Carolina are launching a special dri-fit long sleeve T-shirt exclusively for those who get an early start on their fundraising! To be eligible to earn this T-shirt, make sure […]
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Alzheimer's Association North Carolina Blog 