Walk to End Alzheimer's

This past Saturday, we were lucky enough to film and take part in the Alzheimer’s Walk at the Detroit Zoo. This was the first time in five years that the Walk was held at the Zoo and more than 5,000 people came to walk.

Before the Walk began, we talked to the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Michigan Chapter President/CEO Jennifer Lepard about the walk and how important an event of this size was. She explained to us that with the number of walkers that had signed up, the fundraising goal they had set was reached before the walk had even started. Jennifer said that with an event this big, the awareness of Alzheimer’s would certainly expand.

While at the Walk, we met up again with Cathy Deutchman, Annette Stone, and her son, Dr. Michael Stone, who were all there to walk for their loved ones. Cathy was walking for her mother, Rhea Brody, who is living with Frontotemporal Dementia. Annette and Michael were walking for Dr. Allen Stone, Annette’s husband and Michael’s father, who is currently in the later stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Before the walk started, the three wrote messages about their loved ones on flower windmills that would later be placed in the Promise Garden.

Shortly after, the walk started and we got to witness the thousands of caregivers, family members, friends, and loved ones begin their trek through the Zoo in order to raise awareness for their loved ones living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. It was a truly uplifting experience.

We’re so thankful for the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Michigan Chapter for allowing us to document such an important event.

To learn more about how you can support this very important film, please go to: http://ontodaysfrontlines.com/alzheimers/