Neuhoff Media Springfield and WFMB-FM’s Sarah Smerz hosted the Springfield Walk to End Alzheimers at Southwind Park on September 23rd.
Approximately 800 walkers and runners formed teams who sought donations for the local chapter of the Alzheimers Association. The 2017 goal was to raise $135,000 and donations will be taken through December. Organizers say this was the biggest year yet.
“Whether it’s to honor friends or family you’ve lost, to show support for a caregiver or person living with the disease or to slow rising healthcare costs and put a stop to this global epidemic,” Smerz said. “This is very personal to me. My grandma Smerz passed away a few years ago from Alzheimer’s.”
“She was the mother of 12 children, South Side Chicago, huge Irish-Catholic family. This is a very special day to me. She was an amazing woman.”
Donations can be made towards the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s 2017 at act.alz.orgspringfield2017.