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Tappan Square was inundated with purple on September 22 for an annual fundraiser from the Alzheimer's Association to fight the disease.
About 1,000 people gathered in the center of the park on Main Street in Oberlin, wearing purple shirts for the seventh edition of the Walk to End Alzheimer's Disease.
The park has been decorated with mauve, orange, yellow and blue colors in preparation for the annual event celebrating its third year in the hall.
Matt Siebert, co-chair of the committee that planned this year's march, said the goal of the event was to raise money and raise public awareness of the disease.
Siebert's grandmother died of the disease after years of fighting her debilitating effects.
According to Siebert, the fundraiser was actually a combination of two walks, a 1.5 kilometer walk around the square, and a walk of just under three kilometers that took the participants through the neighborhood.
Although cool temperatures and brownish foliage make for a nice walk in the park, the meaning of the purpose of walking has been emphasized at almost every turn.
At the opening ceremony, Nancy B. Udelson, President and CEO of the Cleveland Chapter, spoke about the impact of Alzheimer's disease not only on those affected, but also family members and the community.
"We have all witnessed today the devastation associated with Alzheimer's disease and dementia," she said. "Many of you have been, or are currently, caregivers, and know too much about unwanted twists and turns that disrupt your life.
"The number of people with this disease and the number of caregivers are growing too fast. The costs associated with this disease are also staggering. Alzheimer's disease is relentless, but so are we.
According to the Walk website, fundraising has raised more than $ 115,000, which "will contribute to the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer's Association".
Steve Kaplan, owner of Kaplan's Furniture, sponsor of the local event, described the search for a cure for the disease at the opening ceremony.
"What's happening now with technology is very incredible," he said. "There are four things that help stop the disease. Israel is currently the largest developer for treatments, and one is a pill made and tested, and the other is a massage therapy.
According to Kaplan, in the United States, the main preventive measure is physical exercise and healthy eating.
At the end of the opening ceremony, event committee co-chair, Emily Bennett, gave a human face to the disease by explaining the different reels of flowers of different colors.
According to Bennett, the blue flowers represent those who are currently suffering from the disease, the yellow flowers represent those who care for people suffering from the disease, the orange flowers represent those who defend those who suffer from the disease and the mauve flowers represent to have lost somebody. One to the disease.
After introducing individuals who are part of each of these groups, Bennett asked the assembled walkers to raise their flowering mills in the sky. When the light breeze set the petals moving, more than one eye stained with tears could be seen among the crowd.
Bennett introduced the fifth flower color hoped for: white.
"A white flower," she said, her voice seeming to break. "This is the first survivor of Alzheimer's disease. Would not it be a nice addition to our garden? But until this beautiful day arrives, we will not back down. Every step we take in this fight is a step forward.
"We must continue to show the way, because together we can end Alzheimer's disease."
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