By Beacon Staff
More than 200 people participated in the annual Burlington Walk To End Alzheimer's on Saturday morning, raising awareness and funds to eliminate a disease that causes severe mental and physical impairment.
Some of the walkers participated virtually, an amenity provided by the Alzheimer's Association due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the participants met for a brief ceremony at Westland Mall, holding flowers of varying hues.
Those who carried a purple flower had lost someone to Alzheimer’s. Yellow flowers were held by caregivers for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Those living with Alzheimer’s carried a blue flower. Orange flowers were for anyone who supports the Alzheimer’s Association. One white flower represented the first Alzheimer's patient who will be the beneficiary of a long-awaited cure at some point in the future.
Alzheimer's Walk Engagement Chairman Cody Flietner told stories of those living with Alzheimer's disease during the opening ceremony, breaking into tears midway through his speech.
"I'm thinking of my grandma," he said, taking a brief second to regain his composure.
Flietner also asked for a moment of silence for Alzheimer's Association volunteer Megan Koss. Koss, 39, died Oct. 4 of COVID-19, according to her family.
Last year's Walk To End Alzheimer's did not have a public opening ceremony due to COVID-19, though there was one available online, and this year's ceremony was shorter than usual to help mitigate the possible spread of the virus. Testimonials usually delivered in-person were put online this year.
Walkers at Saturday's event were asked to keep six feet between them when possible, and those who were unvaccinated were asked to wear a mask at all times. Hand sanitizing stations were also present.
Walk organizers originally moved the event from the Port of Burlington to Westland Mall a couple of years ago so participants could walk inside, but that wasn't possible after the pandemic hit.
This year's walk was finally able to happen at the new location, just not inside it. Organizers are hoping the walk can happen inside the mall next year, depending on the status of the pandemic.