Hundreds gather at Haymarket Park for Walk to End Alzheimer’s

Six million people, including 35,000 people in Lincoln, are living with some form of Alzheimer’s disease.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) –  Six million people, including 35,000 in Lincoln, are living with some form of Alzheimer’s disease.

On Sunday, people gathered at Haymarket Park to raise awareness and money to find a cure to a disease that has impacted so many families.

“To see all of the people that are here today and all of the flowers in the flower garden really makes me feel hopeful and empowered,” said Tami Soper, whose mother, Ada Robinson, is living with Alzheimer’s.

Walk manager Carrie Dell says every person in attendance at the walk is invited to grab a colored flower pinwheel as a part of what’s called the Promise Garden Ceremony to represent how Alzheimer’s has impacted them.

“The purple flower is if you’ve lost someone to Alzheimer’s, the yellow flower is if you’re caring for someone with Alzheimer’s, the orange flower is kind of universal for anyone who cares about the cause and then the blue flower is for people who are living with Alzheimer’s or dementia,” Dell said.

Robinson, who was a beloved teacher at Clinton Elementary School for more than 30 years, was today’s blue flower holder. She is namesake of a new elementary school in Lincoln that’s set to open in 2022.

She and her daughter Tami say her passion for children and trying to live in the moment helps the family find fulfillment in each and every day.

“We don’t talk about what’s going on with us, we try to up each other,” Robinson said.

“I think that’s probably the most valuable lesson that I’ve learned through this process just appreciate the moments and appreciate right now,” Soper said.

With the help of a loving and caring community, Lincolnites say they hope a white flower will be lifted some day soon.

The white flower, that signifies our first survivor,” Dell said. “It gives people hope, because the money we raised here today is going to help with the research to end this disease.”

“We’re not in this fight alone, and there’s an awful lot of people out there working to end this disease so that it stops taking people from their families,” Soper said.

Organizers with this year’s walk say as of last night, their goal of $160,000 was realized. They say they are now trying to reach a stretch goal of $230,000 by the end of this year. You can contribute to the cause here.