Kearney is ready to end Alzheimer's: "Once Alzheimer's hits your family, the cause becomes more important" | Local

"Once Alzheimer's hits your family, the cause becomes more important. It should not be, but it is, "Barb said.

That's why, for the fourth year in a row, the Turners are donating a colorful pedal car that will be drawn at the seventh annual Walk of End Alzheimer's Association fundraising campaign.

The event starts at 2 pm Sept. 16 at Yanney Park at 2020 W. 11th St. C is free and will be rainy or shiny; only tornadoes and lightning will postpone it. Pre-registration is not required.

"Everyone knows someone touched by Alzheimer's disease," said Cassie Larreau, development specialist for the Alzheimer's Association of Central and Western Nebraska. Alzheimer's disease is only one of 200 types of dementia, but it accounts for 70% of diagnosed cases of dementia. "Dementia is not part of the normal aging process," said Larreau.

The Turners know it too.

They now realize that their father's symptoms of Alzheimer's disease began three years before his death, but their mother hid her deterioration. "She goes up with dad and tells him where to go," said Bobby. "Then she is dead."

Slowly, then quickly, they began to notice small quirks.

"One time he went to get some pizza but he could not find the pizzeria. He did not know who we were. Once, he thought that my older sister was my mother. I was his brother one day, but the next day he did not know me at all, "Bobby said. "With Alzheimer's disease, it's a pretty slow process at first, and suddenly, the situation gets progressively worse a lot faster."

Aggravating it, Bobby realized that "that he says that he has 250 head of cattle or 250 cars, you have to agree with them on everything." It's hard, but you have to learn to lie. I had never seen my father angry before having Alzheimer's. "

After Robert's death, Bobby and Barb, co-owners of Turner Body Shop with Barb's son, Tony, decided to give a pedal car to the Alzheimer's annual fundraiser. It's a move they made in 2012 for Concrete Cares of Nebraska, a non-profit organization that benefits cancer patients. They buy a pedal car, decorate it and donate it to help raise funds. "It's just what we do," Barb said.

Until now, no one has survived Alzheimer's disease. That's why the theme of the September 16th march is "Join the fight for the first survivor of Alzheimer's disease".

This year's estimate indicates that more than 34,000 Nebraskians live with Alzheimer's disease. Approximately 4,600 people aged 65 to 74 are affected, as well as 14,000 people aged 75 to 84 and 16,000 people over 85.

By 2025, these numbers are expected to increase by more than 17% to 40,500 Nebraskans.

Last year, Alzheimer's disease killed 598 people and was the sixth leading cause of death in Nebraska.

Kearney is working hard to change this trend.

Since 2012, Apple Market, located at 7 W. 25th St., has increased from $ 2,000 to $ 3,000 annually by asking customers to donate $ 1 to the cause. So far, since August 27, $ 800 has been collected, according to Kathy Shearer, office manager. Donations will be accepted until September 23rd. For each donation, a flower is displayed in the Apple Market Customer Service Center window.

"We've been doing it since the beginning of the march here in 2012. The Alzheimer's Association is just a good organization," said Shearer.

The March for Ending Alzheimer's has been on the rise since they began in 2012. During the evening of the week, they raised $ 21,000 for each of the first two years. In 2014, Susie Peterson, the organization's new executive director, added food and fun to $ 40,1356.

"Susie has been instrumental in the growth of our event and in creating a partnership and community outreach," said Mr. Larreau. Peterson is now Executive Director of CountryHouse, a memory care facility located in northeastern Kearney.

In 2016, when Larreau took office, the walk raised $ 43,000. Last year, the total was $ 50,000. This year's goal is $ 53,000. The group aims for a growth rate of about 15% per year, she said.

Last year, ClarCor, the parent company of Baldwin Filters, made a large one-time donation. "We have adapted our expectations accordingly. It is very important for us to set realistic goals, but it would be great to have such a gift again, "she said.

These totals are all the more impressive given the size of the Kearney community.

"We raised $ 50,000 in a city of 33,000 people. Lincoln raises $ 175,000 to $ 200,000 a year, but has a population of 280,000. This is a testament to the effectiveness of the association in reaching our constituents, "said Mr. Larreau.

The money goes in search. It also helps people caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease.

"We want to help the teams understand how this $ 500 really helped caregivers and the community," said Larreau. No more than 6% of its funds are spent on administrative costs, leaving 94% for research and other efforts.

September's fundraising planning begins in January, as it recruits sponsors, sets up committees, works with team captains, and shares fundraising ideas. She can not say enough about her 15-member board of directors, including retirees, physiotherapists, business owners, and long-term care facility employees. "Volunteers do most of the planning for the walk," she said. "They know what works best in our community."

Larreau also needs volunteer coordinators, office workers, "people who would be good facilitators of support groups and provide education. People who can speak on different topics, "she said. University of Nebraska students in Kearney are also volunteering.

The Larreau area covers central and western Nebraska, including Hastings, Grand Island, North Platte and Kearney. This year, Minden, Holdrege and Amherst will also participate in the Kearney event. "Sometimes small communities tend to be underserved. We want to get them out and find the resources they need, "she said.