The lead sponsor was Manorhouse at Gastonia. The Western Carolina Chapter of the Alzheimer s Association serves some 5,750 families coping with Alzheimer s disease in Cleveland, Gaston and Cleveland counties with critically needed programs including the toll-free HelpLine, caregiver counseling, support groups, educational programs, and much more. All money raised by the Memory Walk support local services. Alzheimer s disease, the fourth leading cause of death among adults in the United States, is a progressive, degenerative, and incurable disease of the brain and the most common form of memory loss. An estimated 4 million Americans are diagnosed with Alzheimer s disease, and that number will reach 14 million by 2050 unless a cure or effective treatment is found.
Caregivers face enormous physical, financial, and emotional stress as the disease progresses.
The Western Carolina Chapter of the Alzheimer s Association is a non-profit voluntary organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for those with Alzheimer s and related disorders and to assisting their families and caregivers. Since 1985, the Chapter has provided a broad range of programs including patient and family services, education, advocacy and research support. The chapter currently serves more than 73,000 people in 49 counties. All rights reserved.