Keene State College hosted the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Western New Hampshire on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is held in more than 600 communities nationwide, with the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s being the world’s largest fundraiser for Alzheimer’s care, support and research, according to the organization’s website.
At the event, the Mayor of Keene, George Hansel, spoke during the opening ceremony along with the President of Keene State College, Melinda Treadwell.
After the opening ceremony, students, residents, walkers and volunteers participated in the Promise Garden. Here, individuals selected a flower and personalized it to represent their reason for walking. The orange flower represents support for the cause and vision of a world without Alzheimer’s, the yellow flower represents someone who supports or cares for someone with Alzheimer’s, the purple flower represents those who have lost someone to Alzheimer’s disease, and the blue flower represents someone who has Alzheimer’s disease, according to the organization’s website.
Hansel described the event to be, “a great community event, and helps to bring everyone closer together.” He said the event was personal to him due to the loss of his grandmother to Alzheimer’s disease.
There were many students in attendance at the event, with some members of Delta Phi Epsilon (DPhiE) participating. Senior and DPhiE Emma Wheeler shared she has been participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s since her sophomore year. She also shared that this event is important as it helps to “connect with the community of Keene.”
Along with many individuals in attendance at the event, there were also local companies that supported and donated to the Walk to End Alzheimer’s disease. Some included Genesis HealthCare, Edward Jones, Scott-Farrar at Peterborough, Merill Gardens, American Seniors Housing Association and Monarch Roofing & General Contractors. These local companies helped to show their support regarding more research for the disease.
Samantha Smalick can be contacted at
Samantha.Smalick@keene.edu
