NORFOLK – Dozens of people in Northeast Nebraska gathered together for support and hope for a cure to Alzheimer’s.
The cold and gloomy weather didn’t stop the dozens of walkers in Norfolk from taking part in the 2018 Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Sunday.
Attendees signed a pledge against the disease and made donations going to research a cure for the memory loss disease.
After a short ceremony remembering the struggle of those living with the disease and the caretakers helping those in need, the group walked the two mile loop around Skyview Lake.
Organizer of the walk, Katy Novotny, says the city of Norfolk was in need of an annual Alzheimer’s walk, one that all of the northeast Nebraska area could join in.
“My thing was is when I came to Norfolk, there wasn’t one here. I found out throughout the years there have been ones in the past. There just wasn’t one when I currently got here. So what we did is we just rebuilt the system and over the years, I’ve gotten more and more committee members and been so completely blessed.”
She says Alzheimer’s disease effects everyone and more focus needs to be put on helping families who have been effected by the disease.
“There are so many friends and family not only of mine, but on the committee that have been touched by the disease and ultimately my biggest goal is to raise more support.”
By the end of the walk, more than $20,000 was raised. Although it was around half of their original goal, Novotny says the turnout and support by local families was more important to the message of the walk.
Organizers say they hope this event will increase recognition and support of the disease in Norfolk.
