- April 25, 2024
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Joyce Lee, Commissioner Nate McLaughlin, Joe Wiginton and Ed Nerveaz hold up flowers symbolizing different signs of support. McLaughlin introduced the white flower, which will be given to the first survivor. Photo by Paige Wilson
Mimi Baruch holds up flowers of each symbolic color. Blue represents a person who has Alzheimer's, yellow is they know someone with it, orange symbolizes support and purple shows someone they know died from it. Photo by Paige Wi
Members of Ye Privateers of Palm Coast John Sewell, Deborah Sewell, Bogo Piego and Hannah Kidd add elements of purple to their pirate garb for the Walk to End Alzheimer's. Photo by Paige Wilson
Monika Karlik holds up a yellow flower, signifying that she knows someone who has Alzheimer's. Photo by Paige Wilson
The Hope in the Hammock group poses for a group photo before the Walk to End Alzheimer's begins. They are the top fundraiser in Flagler County. Photo by Paige Wilson
Flagler County Commissioner Nate McLaughlin speaks to the crowd gathered at Veterans Park. Photo by Paige Wilson
Volunteers Daniella Sbordone, Brielle Landry, Olivia Hale, Simone Till, Liying Wu, Lonneke Selman, Terry Kerouac, Soulyda Pen, Chloe Barney, Terra White, Sarah Main and Shelby Beck. Photo by Paige Wilson
Flagler County Commissioner Nate McLaughlin holds up a white pinwheel flower from behind a podium at Veterans Park. It represents the hope to have a future first survivor of Alzheimer’s.
Since the Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Flagler Beach on Saturday, Sept. 23 was the first walk of the 2017 season, this was the first time the white flower was unveiled, said Michelle Branham, Alzheimer’s Association vice president of communications and public policy.
“I hope I am out of a job one day, like (McLaughlin) said,” Branham said. “I hope we do have our first survivor one day. That’s my goal.”
A sea of purple made up of 47 teams of about 300 participants gathered to support Alzheimer’s research, care and awareness — despite the rain and gloom of the day.
“Usually the Flagler community comes on so strong,” said Branham, who has been at the Flagler Beach walk each of the last five years. “They’re just amazing participants. Right after a hurricane, they still come out. There are 300 people here supporting. Flagler usually always does so incredibly well right out of the gate.”
Branham said the Flagler County teams have raised $71,400 of the $85,000 goal, as of Monday afternoon. They still have through the end of December to reach their goal.
This cause is personal for Branham, as her grandmother, who had Alzheimer’s, passed earlier in 2017.
“Everybody has a person,” she said. “I’m so inspired by the people here doing what they do. I get choked up because it takes a lot to take the tragedy that happens to a family and turn that into something inspiring to do change and make good happen.”
A 24/7 help hotline is available to support those affected by Alzheimer’s in any way. Call 1-800-272-3900. For more information, visit alz.org.
