By Khalida Sarwari
It’s the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. and the only cause of death among the top 10 in the country that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed.
In October, thousands from Campbell and across Silicon Valley will gather to do their part to change the alarming facts about Alzheimer’s disease.
The Alzheimer’s Association is holding the Silicon Valley Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Oct. 20 at the Arena Green in downtown San Jose, and as a benefit for that event, SarahCare of Campbell will host a fundraiser at its 450 Marathon Drive location on Sept. 20, 6-8 p.m.
The event, said SarahCare spokeswoman Carol Wynne, is intended not only to “draw attention to Alzheimer’s but also all the things that the association does as far as supporting people.”
The fundraiser will feature wine tasting provided by Vintage Wine Merchants of Santana Row, a DJ, finger foods, a fashion show featuring Urban Girl–a boutique on E. Campbell Avenue–and nearly a dozen massage therapists from the National Holistic Institute. There will also be a raffle and silent auction of items such as an iPad, a vintage bottle of wine, jewelry sets and certificates for chiropractic massages.
The fundraiser is open to all and there is a suggested donation of $20 per person. All proceeds will go to the Alzheimer’s Association, said Wynne.
The Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Oct. 20 is a national 3-mile walk to raise money and awareness for Alzheimer’s programs, services and research. The Silicon Valley event is one of 600 walks held throughout the country annually. Last year, participants raised more than $460,000, according to Wynne.
SarahCare of Campbell, which stands for Senior Adult Recreation and Health, has been involved in the Silicon Valley Alzheimer’s walk for the last three years. The center provides health care and recreational services to seniors with disabilities and gives support to caregivers and families. It is also a place where anyone can come to learn more about Alzheimer’s disease, said Wynne.
“For so many people, their family member gets [Alzheimer’s disease] and they don’t understand the basics of it,” she said.
For more information on the walk or to register, visit act.alz.org/sv2012. To RSVP for the Sept. 20 fundraiser, call Carol Wynne at 408.374.2273.
SarahCare to host a fundraiser in advance of Alzheimer’s Walk
