‘A cure has to be out there’: Hundreds of people walk to end Alzheimer’s at Haymarket Park

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – For over a decade, the Nebraska Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Associations has been hosting a Walk to End Alzheimer’s, meant to raise awareness and money for a cure.

The walk around Haymarket Park started at the entrance to the baseball stadium and went across the Lincoln Bridge to Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Diana Schilf, a committee member for the walk, said all the money raised goes toward research for treatments and resources for families affected.

“Caregivers are so important to support, because they are doing so much for the individuals that they love and care for,” she said. “It’s important for us to be out here to help support them too.”

The association says more than 36,000 Nebraskans over the age of 65 are currently living with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

There’s also more than 40,000 people caring for loved ones with the disease.

Emily Gossard, a committee chair for the walk, became one of those people when her dad was diagnosed.

“It changed who he was as a person entirely,” she said. “He went from being good natured, loving, outgoing – would’ve done anything for anybody – to somebody who was aggressive, intimidating. It’s hard to deal with someone with Alzheimer’s.”

Gossard helped care for her father for four years before he passed away. She said finding a cure would mean everything to her.

“My biggest fear is having my daughter or my loved ones see me go through what I went through with my dad,” she said. “A cure has to be out there. If anything, we’ve got to find a way to slow down the progression to give people normal living.”

In July, the FDA approved Leqembi, a treatment that promises to slow progression for those with mild dementia or other symptoms in the early stages of Alzheimer’s.

Gossard said these kinds of breakthroughs are promising, and she thinks it will lead to more treatments.

“I think it gives hope to a lot of people,” she said. “It gives me tremendous hope. When Leqembi came out and we saw the effectiveness, it was a very hopeful day for a lot of people.”

Gossard said she’s glad so many people turned out to show their support.

The association has raised about $114,000 so far out of this year’s goal of $140,000. You can still donate until Dec. 15.