Buck-Taylor walks to end Alzheimer’s disease
May 13, 2013NEW MILFORD – In collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Association, State Representative Cecilia Buck-Taylor joined hundreds of other people in the 2013 Walk to End Alzheimer’s on May 4.
The walk, held at Harrybrooke Park in New Milford, helped raise nearly $106,000 – 80 percent of the local group’s $136,000 goal – for Alzheimer’s research, support and care. Representative Buck-Taylor, R-New Milford, joined the walk for yet another year, and her private law firm sponsored a team for the second straight year.
“Alzheimer’s is a tragic disease that impacts nearly 5.2 million Americans,” said Representative Buck-Taylor, who walked with a flower in hand, decorated with names of those she’s personally lost or taken care of affected by the disease. “This walk, along with the teams and their members, is an act of courageous solidarity with those millions of people affected by the disease. There are far too many people battling Alzheimer’s to let it go unnoticed. There needs to be a greater awareness, and I’m happy to join nearly 500 other New Milford-area residents who walked to fight this horrific disease.”
Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth-leading cause of death among Americans, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, and nearly one in three seniors dies with the disease or similar dementia disorders. In 2013, the Association said, Alzheimer’s will cost the nation $203 billion in Medicare, Medicaid, and out-of-pocket expenses. By 2050, that number will increase to $1.2 trillion.
“The ways that Alzheimer’s affects those who love and care for those afflicted by the disease are numerous,” said Representative Buck-Taylor, a member of the Finance, Environment and Judiciary committees, adding: “It’s financially, physically, mentally and emotionally draining.
“As a person who has witnessed first
-hand these heartbreaking turn of events, I know how devastating Alzheimer’s can be to loved ones. I have taken care of and continue to take care of people who suffer with this disease, and watching it happen simply wrenches at your heart and soul,” Representative Buck-Taylor added.
The New Milford Walk to End Alzheimer’s drew an estimated 470 walkers, made of 60 teams, on the sunny Saturday. Among the walkers were Mayor Patricia Murphy, and people who lost someone, cared for someone, or have been affected by Alzheimer’s. They included family members, caregivers, and medical professionals.
For more information, or how you can help end Alzheimer’s in Connecticut, visit www.alz.org/ct/, email walkhelpct@alz.org, or call 800-272-3900.