Cedar Rapids woman raises $10,000 for Alzheimer’s Association in memory of her husband

CEDAR RAPIDS — Justina Dunlap of Cedar Rapids and her team has raised more than $10,000 for this year’s Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s in memory of Dunlap’s husband, Tom, who died from the disease.

Corridor residents can join the fight to end Alzheimer's by participating in the walk either Saturday, Sept. 23, at City Park, 200 Park Rd, Iowa City, or Saturday, Oct. 14, at McGrath Amphitheatre, 475 First St. SW, Cedar Rapids.

Justina Dunlap, who cared for her husband before he died from Alzheimer’s, is now walking with other volunteers to fight for a different future, including treatment for and prevention from the disease, according to a news release from the Alzheimer’s Association.

On walk day, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer’s with “Promise Garden” flowers, which signify their solidarity in the fight against the disease. The colors of the Promise Garden flowers — purple, yellow, blue and orange — represent the different reasons why people walk to end this disease.

Blue is for those currently experiencing Alzheimer's or another type of dementia, purple is for those who have lost a loved one to dementia, yellow is for caregivers of people with dementia and orange is for anyone who believes in a future without dementia.

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There is no fee to register for walk. However, all participants are encouraged to raise funds that allow the Alzheimer’s Association to provide 24/7 care and support and advance research toward methods of prevention, treatment and, ultimately, a cure.

To register and receive the latest updates on this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, visit alz.org/walk.

More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease — a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia.

In Iowa alone, there are more than 66,000 people living with the disease and 98,000 caregivers.

The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

Since 1989, the Alzheimer’s Association has mobilized millions of Americans in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk. Its mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.

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