WALK TO END ALZHEIMER’S IN PANORA RAISES $12,000

Nineteen walks are scheduled in Iowa this fall with Panora being the smallest town to host one.

 

By Susan Thompson | Lake Panorama Times

The fourth Raccoon River Valley Walk to End Alzheimer’s was held in Panora Sept. 21 with 62 participants. The walk began at the Michael Mills Memorial Park. The 2-mile route had walkers heading east from the park, north to the Raccoon River Valley Trail, and south on the trail before looping back to the park.  

These Alzheimer’s Association fundraising walks are held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide and constitute the world’s largest fundraiser for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. There are 19 walks scheduled in Iowa this fall with Panora being the smallest town to host one.

Alzheimer’s kills more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. One in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. More than seven million Americans are living with the disease. In 2024, Alzheimer’s and other dementias will cost the United States $360 billion, a number that is projected to rise to more than $1 trillion in 2050. 

Edward Jones is a national presenting sponsor of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, having helped raise more than $50 million since 2016. Dave Grove, an Edward Jones financial advisor based in Panora, was instrumental in getting the local walk started. 

During the opening ceremony, Grove gave tribute to his grandmother, Kay Grove. 

“We lost her in 2019 to Alzheimer’s. She was a wonderful woman and fought a brave and lengthy battle with the disease,” he said. “We got this walk started in 2021 to honor her. It’s a way to support the Alzheimer’s Association financially, while also supporting each other.” 

Also speaking at the opening ceremony was Erica Eikren, who is a program manager in the Alzheimer’s Association Des Moines office. She talked about her personal connections to the Alzheimer’s Association, which began in 2013 when she became a secondary caregiver for her father, who was battling both Parkinson’s and dementia. 

“My mother was his primary caregiver, and I could see how important it was for her to have me as a backup when possible,” she said. “I found the Alzheimer’s Association incredibly helpful. I called the help line when I needed someone to talk with, and I found lots of important information on the website that helped us learn more about care options.” 

In 2013, Eikren participated in an Alzheimer’s Association walk. Her father passed away in 2014.

“I continued to use the Alzheimer’s Association website for information, reading up on the importance of early detection and risk factors for me and my siblings,” Eikren said. “I wanted my mother to be able to attend a support group, but there weren’t any close enough for her. Then I found she could participate in a virtual support group.” 

In 2015, Eikren volunteered to help with a local Alzheimer’s Association walk in her area, something she continued to do annually. In 2021, she became the primary caregiver for her mother, who by then was suffering from dementia. Her mother moved in with her and passed away in 2023. 

“In January 2024, I joined the Alzheimer’s Association staff,” Eikren said. “Now I get to share what I’ve learned over the years and can continue to advocate for those who suffer with Alzheimer’s and other dementias and their families and caregivers. I’m so thankful for this opportunity.”  

Spinning flowers in four colors were available for walk participants to place in a Promise Garden. Grove asked participants to show each colored flower and explained its meaning. Blue – someone living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Purple – someone who has lost someone to the disease. Yellow – a person currently supporting or caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s. Orange – a person who supports the cause and the Alzheimer’s Association’s vision of a world without the disease.

Norah Grove, whose parents are Dave and Sara Grove, displayed a white flower, which will represent the first survivor of Alzheimer’s, once a cure is found. 

Sue Bump of Reshape Fitness Studio led participants in warmup exercises before the 2-mile walk.

While there was no fee to register for the walk, all were encouraged to raise funds that allow the Alzheimer’s Association to provide 24/7 care and support and advance research toward methods of prevention, treatment and a cure. The Alzheimer’s Association is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. All donations are tax-deductible. 

On the day of this year’s Raccoon River Valley Walk, it was announced more than $12,000 had been raised to date. Donations can continue to be made online to the 2024 Raccoon River Valley Walk through Dec. 31 at act.alz.org/rrvwalk. 

In addition to Edward Jones, sponsors of the local walk included Iowa Trust and Savings Bank, Lakeside Village, New Homestead, Guthrie County State Bank, Lake Lumber, Panora Fiber, Nutriom and Local Liquor. At registration, Crafty’s Coffee provided coffee, and Hy-Vee provided bananas and bottled water. Fareway Stores in Dallas County helped with a roundup campaign at their stores over the weekend, which will add to the fundraising total.

Committee members were Dave Grove, Mel Borgeson, Mary Jane Carothers, Brandy Clark and Bob Grove. Other volunteers were present to help the day of the event, including students from Panorama High School and the Jacobsen family.

 

 

PICTURED AT TOP: Tom and Kari Harmsen and their two young sons participated in the Raccoon River Valley Walk. Kari works for Edward Jones in the Waukee office and leads the company’s Alzheimer’s Walk presence in the region. Tom works for Dallas County Hospital and is active in the Panora Chamber. Much of the 2-mile walk took place on the Raccoon River Valley Trail.