Today's fundraising walk drew patients, families dealing with Alzheimer's

BOARDMAN

It seemed ironic that participants in this morning's Walk to End Alzheimer’s had to walk past a sign that said, “Enter the nightmare.”

The sign, of course, had nothing to do with the event, which aims to promote awareness about Alzheimer’s disease. It’s actually a prop for Boardman Park’s annual Halloween fright activities.

But for those who’d come out to walk in the morning chill because their lives have somehow been affected by Alzheimer’s, it seemed about right.

“It’s a terrible disease, and the lives of the entire family are altered with the diagnosis,” said Helen Paes, community development coordinator for the Alzheimer Association’s Greater East Ohio Area Chapter, located in Canfield. She said the walk, held each fall, is the association’s largest fund-raising event. Participants raise money through pledges, and the money goes toward raising awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

The goal for this year’s local event was $42,000.

Paes said it’s estimated there are some 16,000 people in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties living with Alzheimer’s, which is the sixth leading cause of death among people over 65 in the United States.

It’s not always the elderly who are affected, though.

Cliff Jamieson of Struthers was in his early 50s when he was diagnosed. He taught elementary math and science in Struthers, and had been a football coach in Struthers, Liberty and Girard schools.

“It started with headaches,” said Jamieson, 56, who was forced to retire from education after 30 years because of Alzheimer’s. “That was the first thing I noticed. And then confusion.”

For the complete story, read Sunday's Vindicator or Vindy.com.