In December 2014, 14-year-old Laurel Ramey and her family were told her grandmother, Sherry Ramos, had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease seven months earlier.
“Alzheimer’s impairs senses and makes daily tasks harder, and not many people know about it,” said Kristi Ramey, Laurel's mother.
Laurel decided she would give back to the community by hosting a run for Alzheimer’s support because she wanted to participate in community service because she was involved in Hal Moore Leadership Academy at Auburn Junior High School.
Laurel said she discovered Alzheimer’s was the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. She also learned there is no cure or treatment options, and it is the least funded of the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States.
Kristi said once Laurel had done her research and had gotten a permit from the city, she began to talk to businesses and stores to find sponsors.
At first, Kristi said Laurel did not receive much feedback. However, more and more people became aware of the event and were willing to help once Laurel got the word out.
Kristi said she was proud of how dedicated and willing her daughter was to not give up because of all the work and effort Laurel put into the event.
Her hope for the event, Laurel said, is to raise awareness for the disease while also raising a hopeful $5,000 to help with research funding.
Aside from the 5K and fun run, Laurel and Kristi plan to help raise awareness by including a Virtual Dementia Tour at the event to show people what it is like to live with Alzheimer’s, and will do this by putting them in situations with impaired senses to simulate what dementia can be like.
The event will be held Sept. 5 at Town Creek Park. Registration will start at 7 a.m., with the 5K at 8 a.m. and fun run at 8:45 a.m.
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