Sep 29, 2017 By Dave Zuchowski, For The Greene County Messenger 5 min read

Chances are you either have known someone with Alzheimer’s, know someone who is currently afflicted by the disease or will know someone who will develop the affliction down the road.

There’s even a chance that that someone may be you.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association of Pittsburgh, approximately 1,200 people have been diagnosed with the disease in Greene County. Across the state, close to 270,000 people have developed the disease and that number will grow to 320,000 by 2025.

In the United States, five million Americans have Alzheimer’s, and the cost of caring for these individuals is $259 billion a year. To make matters worse, if the trend continues, 16 million Americans are expected to develop the disease by 2050.

If you would like to do your part to discover a cure and provide services, you can start by registering for tomorrow’s Greene County Walk to End Alzheimer’s either online at www.alz.org/walk or at 9 a.m. at the site of the walk – Wana B Park in Carmichaels. There is no fee to register, and the opening ceremony begins at 9:45 a.m.

“While there is no fee to walk, we will accept donations,” said Angie Hastings, a member of the walk planning committee from Carmichaels. “Those who donate $100 or more will receive a T-shirt from the Alzheimer’s Association.”

Hastings is a member of Nanny’s Team, named for her Grandmother Patty Lewis, 83, of Garards Fort, who now resides in Evergreen Assisted Living in Waynesburg. Lewis began developing early symptoms of the disease such as forgetfulness, misplacing things and not being able to remember to do daily tasks such as brushing her teeth, getting dressed or washing the dishes.

Since being diagnosed in 2013, her condition has deteriorated to the point where she no longer recognizes people and doesn’t speak much.

“Our nanny is past the point of benefiting from a cure, but our team walks and contributes to the cause so that future generations might be spared,” Hastings said.

Now a six-year participant in the walk, Nanny’s Team has already raised $102,000 since 2013. This year, it’s already raised over $18,000.

“We currently have 66 people on the team but have had a s many as 103, mostly Nanny’s 10 children, along with their children and grandchildren,” said Hastings, who’s also on the walk planning committee along with her mother, Wanda Miller; sister, Beth Hastings; and cousin, Amy Myers.

To raise money, Nanny’s Team holds a series of fundraisers including Paint and Sip events for kids and adults, an annual Bingo at the Masontown Italian Club (their biggest fundraiser) and an Easter Egg hunt which included over 7,000 eggs last year, along with a 50-50 raffle, a Chinese auction, games for kids and a visit and photo taking session with Easter Bunny.

“Our team appreciates all the support we’ve gotten from the community over the past five years,” Hastings said. “They’ve helped us reach out milestone.”

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is a vital fundraising event for the Alzheimer’s Association. This nonprofit organization not only funds Alzheimer’s research, but also has proven to be a useful resource for those who have a family member with the disease, connecting the afflicted and their families and friends with support groups and other services.

“There are support groups and organizations in Greene County that can provide invaluable help to families dealing with is disease,” said Melissa Cuppett, Walk chairperson and Carmichaels native, currently from Uniontown. “There are people who don’t know these services are available. Our job is to let them know they are out there.”

Last year, the walk raised $52,000 and had close to 300 walkers and close to 30 teams. This year’s goal is $57,000 and a comparable number of teams.

Cuppett’s grandmother, Mae Shuckhart, 87, of Nemacolin, now a resident of the Cloverdale Nursing Home in Masontown, sent up red flags to her family when she started to ask the same questions repeatedly and frequently lost her keys and bills.

She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2003.

According to Cuppett, she’s now in fine health but her memory has failed to the point where she no longer recognizes people but “finds joy when relatives visit her.”

To raise money for Mae’s Team, the members will host a Night at the Races on Saturday, Oct. 14 at the Carmichaels American Legion Post 400. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the races set to start at 7 p.m.

Admission is $25, which includes a dinner of pulled pork sandwiches and cole slaw catered by Dog Bite BBQ of Morgantown, beer and a variety of desserts.

“Each participant will get a ticket for a particular race and horse number,” Cuppett said. “There will be 10 horses competing in 10 races, and the winner will get a prize of at least $25. The races, taped at places like the Meadows in Washington, will be shown on a large screen television.”

Participants can also bid on side bets, a Chinese auction and a 50-50 raffle.

For more information on this event, call 724-984-3505.

“We encourage everyone in Greene County to come out tomorrow and support the Walk to End Alzheimer’s event,” said Jeremy Bland, marketing director for the Greater Pittsburgh Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. “These events are our top fundraisers of the year and help provide education, support and programs right here in Greene County for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and their caregivers.”

For more information on the Greene County Walk to End Alzheimer’s, call 800-272-3900.