Peer Leaders Walk to End Alzheimer’s

Peer Leaders Walk to End Alzheimer’s

Krissie Dempsey, Staff Writer

On Saturday, September 27th, the members of FTHS’s Peer Leadership joined hundreds of participants in the 2014 Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The 2.5 mile walk took place in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, and raised money for the Alzheimer’s Association.

According to Mr. Dohan, the Peer Leadership advisor, this is the tenth year they have taken part in the Walk, and he says they plan on continuing to participate in the future.

The Point Pleasant Walk takes place in September every year, which Mr. Dohan believes to be convenient for the seniors. He says, “It’s in the beginning of the year right when we’re coming back to school, so it’s a chance for us to all get out there and do something right from the beginning.”

The Peer Leaders, as well as the other walkers, receive pledges, and all proceeds go to the Alzheimer’s Association. From there, the money is used for research and treatment for the disease. Some of the money is also given to families personally affected by Alzheimer’s to help them provide care for their loved ones. So far this year 2,399 people have participated and the Walk to End Alzheimer’s has raised over $353,000.

Mr. Dohan stresses that it is a beneficial experience for the Peer Leaders. “It raises empathy and awareness in them. It also gets them involved in working for a great cause and seeing what they are capable of when they work together.”

You can learn more about the Alzheimer’s Association by visiting act.alz.org.