Alzheimer's Walk Raises Money and Awareness

9/23/2012 (Updated 10:36:44 PM)

For the Salisbury family, today's walk to end Alzheimers disease was personal.  They lost their grandma to the disease only a week and a half ago. 

"We really feel like we're making a difference for her and i think she would want us to be here," said Sarah Salisbury.

And Don Jones is paying tribute to his wife, who died of Alzheimers years ago.

"Great mom, fantastic wife," said Jones.

Today they were joined by hundreds of others in Otsiningo park to raise awareness and money to fight the disease. The event was hosted by the Central New York chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.  Representatives say that more people are being diagnosed with Alzheimers each year.

"The awareness about this disease has certainly increased. And clinicians are able to diagnose this disease at a much earlier state," said Cathy James, the Chief Executive Officer for the Alzheimer's Association of Central New York.

The goal was to raise 63,000 dollars this year-- more than ever before, and all the proceeds will go to benefit research. 

"We may be able to have treatment that would actually arrest this disease before it even starts its destruction of the brain," said James.

New to this year's walk are flowers that participants carry to  show their reason for walking.Blue flowers represent those suffering from the disease.  According to the Alzheimer's Association, there are, in total,  5.4 million people in the us with Alzheimers.

Maurice Vattisti says he experiences memory loss, and he and his wife say they hope today's walk will help improve his condition.

"It's a cause close to our heart and we hope this walk helps find a cure for Alzheimer's," said his wife, Anne Vattisti.


Samantha McDonald, Fox 40 News.