The following article was posted as submitted by Crystle Taylor-Stephenson, Executive Director of The Mansfield Place.

MANSFIELD — While leaving Crawford County on my way to the 2018 North Central Ohio Alzheimer’s Walk, it was very foggy. As I traveled on U.S. Rt. 30, the sun broke through the clouds and the fog lifted. All was clear, and my view was sharp. I found the same to be true for the Alzheimer’s Walk this year….their message and vision was clear and, like the sun’s rays, very powerful and sharp. Approximately 300 walkers arrived eager to share their stories, support their friends and families and raise money to fight this horrible disease. There was an overwhelming presence of the people of Crawford County at this year’s walk which was held at the OSU-Mansfield/North Central State Campus. John and Gerry Sams of Bucyrus attended to learn as much as possible. Gerry stated that she attended the walk this year because her husband has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. “His mother, grandfather and two sisters have either passed or are suffering from the disease. I am here trying to get as much information as I can. I want to be a step ahead rather than a step behind,” stated Sams.

Several staff members of local assisted living communities and skilled nursing facilities were present with information and to represent the ever growing senior population living with the disease. Sharon Rhoades, Chef at Mansfield Place, an assisted living community, has a heart for their residents who have the disease because it has struck very close to her home…her beloved mother. Rhoades stated, “I hope they find a cure soon.” Diana Johnson, STNA for 28 years, currently serves as Liberty Nursing Center’s Activities Director. Johnson stated that her mission this year is to ask families and caregivers at nursing and assisted living communities to sign an STNA uniform (scrub) top in representation of the countless number of individuals caring for the victims of Alzheimer’s. Johnson said, “My plan is to present it to Mark Romanchuk, the Representative of our District, on Memory Day next year. This will give him a visual of the number of caregivers in the District.” Megan Williams, Life Enrichment Coordinator of Mansfield Place, stated that in addition to the residents that she serves, she knows someone who is very young that was recently diagnosed. Williams said that this is the first year she has participated in the walk and was really looking forward to the opening ceremony.

Prior to walking, was both a motivating and emotional opening ceremony. It began with a flag folding ceremony, with an explanation for each and every fold. Next, Cindy Jakubik, Development and Outreach Coordinator for Northwest Ohio’s Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, welcomed and thanked all walkers. She went on to explain that currently, in the United States, more than 5 million people, including 220,000 people in Ohio are living with Alzheimer’s disease and 16 million individuals are serving as their unpaid caregivers. She boldly proclaimed, “And it’s time to end it!” The walkers agreed. Next, Daniel Goodlin of the Lexington Edward Jones Office spoke about their involvement. Edward Jones is the Alzheimer’s Association’s National Presenting Sponsor. They are working to reach a goal of $4 million nationally and have already provided $2.4 million in corporate donations to advance the care, support and research efforts. Goodlin spoke on behalf of the 41,000 associates making up Edward Jones. He stated, “We will not rest until the world is rid of Alzheimer’s. It’s because we care about our clients.” Goodlin also talked about how this disease has affected him personally. “I remember the call I received from my mother telling me that my grandpa has been diagnosed. I didn’t really understand the impact until I had to deal with it first-hand. My grandpa asks me the names of my kids and then asks who they belong to.” Next to present was a very familiar face of Crawford County, Dr. Rebecca Strickland. Dr. Strickland, the 2018 North Central Ohio Event Chair, is a Board Certified

Geriatrician who specializes in the treatment of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Dr. Strickland began by thanking the volunteers, the Walk Committee and numerous others who made this year’s walk possible. She congratulated the top individual fundraiser to date, Linda Bailey of Remembering Marilyn, who has raised $5,895. She also announced that the top fundraising team to date is Debbie’s Footsteps, who raised $10,000 for this season. Dr. Strickland then shared a story of one of her patients while conducting an office visit. She asked the patient, “Who did you bring with you today?” The patient answered, “I don’t know.” It was her daughter who accompanied her. She charged the crowd to discuss high blood pressure with their Physicians. Strickland also encouraged all to ask their Physicians if it is possible to use an ARB. Angiotensin receptor blockers, commonly known as ARBs, are medicines used to control blood pressure.

Moving many walkers to tears was the personal testimony of Sandra Blevins, LPN and Care Services Manager of Mansfield Place. Sandy discussed how, as a nurse, she was very educated about the disease, stages, communication and techniques. But, her perspective and understanding of the disease changed on February 4, 2013 when her mother was diagnosed. Blevins stated that she could not find out enough about the disease. Prior to her mother’s diagnosis, she discussed how “cute” she thought it was that some of her patients with Alzheimer’s care for baby dolls, thinking that they are real. “Now that my mother has a baby doll that she thinks is real, I no longer find it cute,” Blevins stated tearfully. Blevins and her family are providing one-on-one care for her mother around the clock in her home. Blevins was accompanied by her mother as she held her baby doll in her lap in addition to her family as she presented.

Jakubik then explained what the colors of the flowers represented and the walkers raised their flowers to identify how they are affected by the disease. After the opening ceremony, the walk commenced. With each step, walkers honored the millions of lives affected in so many different ways. At the end of the walking path, walkers were greeted with the variety of colored flowers that lined the walkway.

As the event came to a close, I met with Dawn Pollock, of Debbie’s Footsteps. Pollock and her husband, Casey, have organized numerous events to raise money and awareness. Pollock began by thanking everyone in Crawford County for their support over the years. Dawn’s mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at the early age of 52. She suffered with the disease for 13 years until she ultimately passed. Pollock stated, “I have children and I don’t want them to ever face this disease with me or my husband.” Her hope is for the white flower, which represents the first survivor. To find out about their upcoming events, visit their Facebook page, Debbie’s Footsteps, or visit their website, debbiesfootsteps.us

In conclusion, there is much to be said about progress being made to fight Alzheimer’s disease. Julia Pechlivanos, Executive Director of the NW Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, gave final thoughts about what is currently underway. “The focus is learning about the brain and brain health,” stated Pechilavanos. There have been studies that show keeping blood pressure under control decreases risks of memory decline. Currently, we have medications that treat the symptoms, but not the disease itself. There are two medications now in clinical trials to treat the disease, not just the symptoms. Her hope is that within 5-7 years, they will be approved and available. The North Central Ohio’s Walk goal for 2018

is $63,000 and they have reached $53,014 to date. Jakubik is hopeful that the goal will be reached since the deadline is 12/31/18 and encourages all in attendance to keep talking about the event and posting pictures on social media to continue raising awareness. For more information, visit alz.org.