By Denise D'Alessandro

On Saturday, Oct. 5, the Alzheimer's Association, Long Island Chapter held their annual Memory Walk at Eisenhower Park. Memory Walk is a trademark of the Alzheimer's Association and stands as its premier fund-raising event. It is the only national fundraiser for Alzheimer's disease and has grown significantly since its inception in 1989.

This is the 12th year the Alzheimer's Association, Long Island Chapter has hosted a Memory Walk. At the recent event, participants engaged in calisthenics with Marines leading the groups in stretching and warm up exercises. Scott Miller, a DJ from KJOY 98.3 was the emcee of the day. Participants were treated to music, fruit and refreshments after they finished the 5K Walk.

As a pilot program, Memory Walk was hosted by nine Chapters and was attended by more than 150,000 participants across the country. In 1999, more than $15 million was raised. The benefits of Memory Walk are far-reaching. From September through October, individuals across the country are walking to support the important programs and services to individuals with Alzheimer's, their families and caregivers.

The event would not be possible without help from the sponsors, staff and volunteers. This year's sponsors were: Presenting Sponsor - Sunrise Assisted Living; Major Sponsor - Pine Cove; Tent Sponsor - Nassau Tent; Media Sponsor - Prime Time Travel Club, KJOY 98.3 and 50+ Senior News; Partner Sponsor -Rivkin Radler; Kilometer Sponsor - Chase and Vincent J. Russo and Associates. There were also many friend sponsors and other organizations that contributed to the success of the day.

Before the walk, informational tables were set up for participants to visit and learn more about Alzheimer's Disease and also the many services that are available for loved ones who suffer from it. There was also a Memory Wall set up as a place where people could remember a loved one they are walking for. They purchased a paper daisy for $1 and wrote a name, message or attached a photo and placed it on the wall. All of the money collected was put toward funding program services on Long Island.

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disease that attacks the brain and results in impaired memory, thinking and behavior. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, which is a loss of intellectual function such as thinking, remembering and reasoning so severe that it interferes with an individual's daily functioning and eventually results in death.

The mission of the Alzheimer's Association, Long Island Chapter, which has been serving Long Island since 1983, is to serve Alzheimer's patients, their families and caregivers through a variety of programs and services for all Long Islanders. The disease usually strikes those over the age of 60 with greatest frequency rising from one in ten afflicted at age 65 to statistically one in two at age 85 and over. The association acts as a resource to the community for referrals to specialists, diagnosis information, financial and estate information, Safe Return, free lectures and seminars and Helpline services.

The Alzheimer's Association is the only national voluntary health organization dedicated to funding research for the causes, treatments, prevention and cures of Alzheimer's disease and providing support to the four million Americans with the disease, their families and caregivers.