BANGOR — The Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter, asked community organizers to find individuals who have been touched by Alzheimer’s to be representatives in the Promise Garden during the Walk to End Alzheimer’s 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at Hollywood Casino Raceway at Bass Park. Check in is at 8 a.m.
The flowers in the garden recognize the ways Alzheimer’s impact individuals and families. Blue flowers represent “I have Alzheimer’s;” the yellow says “I am supporting or caring for someone with Alzheimer’s.” Purple blooms mean “I have lost someone to Alzheimer’s” and orange flowers say “I support the cause and a vision of a world without Alzheimer’s”.
Bill Anderson, who recently celebrated his 89th birthday, was selected by the Eastern
Maine Walk to End Alzheimer’s as the orange flower for supporting the cause.
Anderson’s daughter-in-law’s father, who is the same age as Anderson and served as a Navy medic in the Pacific during WWII, has Alzheimer’s. Anderson has witnessed the impact on the family. “I wish I was younger so I could do more to help the cause”, said Anderson. “It’s a blessing to be at my age and not have it happen to me.”
Anderson had heart surgery three years ago and his recovery was slow, but he was determined to participate in the walk last year. After much work, Anderson was able to
put the walker aside and was walking several miles in preparation for the three-mile walk. At the same time he was fundraising at Dirigo Pines Retirement Community in Orono where he is a resident and reaching out to family.
The Dirigo Pines team with Anderson’s leadership raised more than $6,200. The day of the walk was nearing, Anderson’s doctor gave him the green light, and with friends and family around him, Anderson completed the walk last year. “The walk is my motivation to get stronger =and help to educate others about Alzheimer’s disease,” said Anderson. “I’d like to see more education programs to help enhance the care and support for caregivers,” said Anderson. “We have a great program at Dirigo Pines, but that’s not available for everyone. People should take advantage of the Alzheimer’s Association programs; get on their newsletter list and direct people to the website, it’s a great. We don’t know what’s down the line for any of us, so anything I can do to help the Alzheimer’s Walk I will do.”
The Alzheimer’s Association invites Eastern Maine residents to join Anderson in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s.