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Alzheimer’s weekend walk was worthy event

Alzheimer’s disease was once something that people didn’t talk about.

Grandpa just forgets things. Grandma’s not as sharp as she used to be.

But these days, it’s becoming more socially acceptable to discuss the effects of Alzheimer’s with others. Perhaps that has something to do with the fact that Alzheimer’s diagnoses gain ground each year, and it seems that, just like cancer, most everyone has been touched by this disease at one point or another in their lives.

And it’s a difficult to disease to deal with. Few things can take a toll like caring for a loved one that no longer remembers who you are.

This is why we’re happy to see things like Alzheimer day cares and Alzheimer cafes popping up in the area.

We’re also glad to see the Marquette area participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

The march took place Saturday, with an opening ceremony at 10 a.m. at the YMCA in Marquette. The walk followed, with participants either walking a longer route following the bike path south to Lower Harbor and back or a shorter route that circled north of the YMCA through the woods.

While registration was free, participants were expected to raise funds on their own.

Ruth Almen, regional director of the Alzheimer’s Association, said the organization had set a goal of raising $57,000. We hope that the goal was met Saturday. It’s a worthy cause, to be sure.

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