Like many people at the 2018 Walk to End Alzheimer's for Jefferson City, the battle against the growing disease is personal for David and Christa Roehl.
Christa Roehl's mother, Mary Claire Esbeck, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's almost three years ago. She's now being treated in a geriatric psychiatric ward in Madison, Wisconsin.
Christa got involved through participation in a local Alzheimer's support group, and agreed to be the event chairwoman this year.
"As a family, we're all members of AIM (Alzheimer's Impact Movement), and we just try to advocate," she said. "We want a cure. We've seen the ugly side, and we don't want anyone to have to experience what we've gone through."
She said the most common misunderstanding about Alzheimer's Disease is that it only affects elderly people and it's only about memory loss. It also involves the ability to speak as well as other things, she said.
"Probably the hardest part of this disease is to watch the effects it has on my dad," Christa said. "My parents have been married for 57 years, and it's just really hard to watch him have to go through this."
David added, "People think it only happens to individuals. It happens to families."
His employer, Central Bank, a sponsor of the event, he said, because the disease affects clients' lives. "And if you can help spread that awareness and understand how it impacts them and provide them guidance and understanding, that's what we need to be doing," he said.
Some 480 people showed up at Ellis-Porter Riverside Park to walk the .65-mile route. Coincidentally, as walk manager Mindy Hovis noted, someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer's every 65 seconds.
Many of the walkers got soaked by a sudden downpour before they could reach the park pavilion, where hot dogs, chips and water awaited them. Inspirational music pumped through speakers to counter the deluge and occasional thunder.
The attendance and the fundraising exceeded expectations. Last year, the event raised approximately $72,000, and the goal this year was set at $79,000. By the time of the event, the 44 teams had raised well more than $80,000, Hovis said.
"We keep growing in numbers every year and increasing the amount raised," she said. The disease claims more victims each year, so efforts to combat it need to grow too, she said.
Leading the way in fundraising was David Roehl with Roehl & Friends JCMO. He raised $11,360.86, and said he had another $200 in his pocket that people had just given him. Roehl's team was also the leading team, having raised more than $20,536.
Hovis reminded those affected by Alzheimer's that they're not alone. The Greater Missouri Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association is there to help, she said, and can be reached any time at 1-800-272-3900.