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Sunday
March 21, 2010 Since 1922 |
Pilot Walk made up of winners
By Jim Finley
Contributor Published September 22, 2009 Fats Domino, a man I consider to be the greatest singer of all-time, had this fabulous hit song years back called “I’m Walking.” So I was thinking we should get Fats here on Saturday, Oct. 17, to help kick off the Pilot Club’s 11th annual Baytown Alzheimer’s Memory Walk.
But Fats or no Fats, this yearly event stands tall as one of our city’s finest moments and it’s less than a month away.
Beautiful, beautiful occasion. Horrible, horrible disease.
Longtime friend and Pilot Club President Nancy Mann was on the Computer Box reminding me that the ’09 Memory Walk would take place from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Bayland Park. She was wondering if I might mention it in my much-beloved column.
You got it, Nancy. I’m the Pilots’ No. 1 fan when it comes to this event, which will again be chaired by Judy Wheat.
Nancy and Judy know I went through this Alzheimer’s torment with my papa, J.P., a few years ago. After a six-year battle, he – and his family – finally got peace. He died in ’03, none too soon after what he had been through.
Judy reminded me that, across America, as many as 5.3 million people are currently living with Alzheimer’s. It’s not a pretty picture, and I feel for them.
Moreover, and this ain’t good, more than 420,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, and without preventative measures or a cure, the number of Americans with Alzheimer’s could rise to 7.7 million by 2030 and to 15 million by 2050.
Let us hope not, although a major contributing factor to the rise in cases is increased longevity in the over-80 population. Sad.
Every time I hear the word “Alzheimer’s” I go back immediately to the greatest description of this disease I’ve ever heard. It was delivered by Nancy Reagan just after we learned that President Reagan was an Alzheimer’s target.
Alzheimer’s “is the long goodbye,” she said. And so it is.
This is why the Pilot fund-raiser is so important. If only someday we can find a cure. And if Pilot Club members have a say in it, someday we will.
Gives me chills just thinking about it.
Despite Hurricane Ike shaking things up, the ’08 Walk raised about $35,000, which went to the Alzheimer’s Association. The Pilots, who have raised more than $235,000 to date, are now out to top last year’s total this time around.
“We would like to make it $40,000 in 2009,” Judy said, adding that the club has received “our first major sponsor contribution of $2,500 from Remington Park, which is very exciting.”
I should say so.
What also makes this splendid event click are the hundreds of ordinary folks like you and me – except I can’t walk too far – who participate each year. Like a year ago, participants will not be charged an entry fee, but donations will be accepted.
To restore any energy you might have expended during the Walk, a continental breakfast will be served afterwards – prepared by Executive Catering and courtesy of Jack Adcox and Bridgewater Events.
While the Pilots are happy to be back at Bayland Park, Judy had kind words for Ross S. Sterling High, which stepped up last year after Ike did a number on Bayland. “We will miss Sterling and their generosity,” Judy offered.
She also mentioned – and she’ll get no argument here – that “we could manage without a storm.” Amen and amen!
If you’d like to chip in to make the ’09 Walk a big success, you may make a contribution to any Pilot Club member or dial up www.alz.org/memorywalk on the Computer Box.
As usual, the Pilot Club thanks you, I thank you, and J.P. thanks you.
And somewhere Fats Domino is singing “I’ walking …”
Contributor Published September 22, 2009 Fats Domino, a man I consider to be the greatest singer of all-time, had this fabulous hit song years back called “I’m Walking.” So I was thinking we should get Fats here on Saturday, Oct. 17, to help kick off the Pilot Club’s 11th annual Baytown Alzheimer’s Memory Walk.
But Fats or no Fats, this yearly event stands tall as one of our city’s finest moments and it’s less than a month away.
Beautiful, beautiful occasion. Horrible, horrible disease.
Longtime friend and Pilot Club President Nancy Mann was on the Computer Box reminding me that the ’09 Memory Walk would take place from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Bayland Park. She was wondering if I might mention it in my much-beloved column.
You got it, Nancy. I’m the Pilots’ No. 1 fan when it comes to this event, which will again be chaired by Judy Wheat.
Nancy and Judy know I went through this Alzheimer’s torment with my papa, J.P., a few years ago. After a six-year battle, he – and his family – finally got peace. He died in ’03, none too soon after what he had been through.
Judy reminded me that, across America, as many as 5.3 million people are currently living with Alzheimer’s. It’s not a pretty picture, and I feel for them.
Moreover, and this ain’t good, more than 420,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, and without preventative measures or a cure, the number of Americans with Alzheimer’s could rise to 7.7 million by 2030 and to 15 million by 2050.
Let us hope not, although a major contributing factor to the rise in cases is increased longevity in the over-80 population. Sad.
Every time I hear the word “Alzheimer’s” I go back immediately to the greatest description of this disease I’ve ever heard. It was delivered by Nancy Reagan just after we learned that President Reagan was an Alzheimer’s target.
Alzheimer’s “is the long goodbye,” she said. And so it is.
This is why the Pilot fund-raiser is so important. If only someday we can find a cure. And if Pilot Club members have a say in it, someday we will.
Gives me chills just thinking about it.
Despite Hurricane Ike shaking things up, the ’08 Walk raised about $35,000, which went to the Alzheimer’s Association. The Pilots, who have raised more than $235,000 to date, are now out to top last year’s total this time around.
“We would like to make it $40,000 in 2009,” Judy said, adding that the club has received “our first major sponsor contribution of $2,500 from Remington Park, which is very exciting.”
I should say so.
What also makes this splendid event click are the hundreds of ordinary folks like you and me – except I can’t walk too far – who participate each year. Like a year ago, participants will not be charged an entry fee, but donations will be accepted.
To restore any energy you might have expended during the Walk, a continental breakfast will be served afterwards – prepared by Executive Catering and courtesy of Jack Adcox and Bridgewater Events.
While the Pilots are happy to be back at Bayland Park, Judy had kind words for Ross S. Sterling High, which stepped up last year after Ike did a number on Bayland. “We will miss Sterling and their generosity,” Judy offered.
She also mentioned – and she’ll get no argument here – that “we could manage without a storm.” Amen and amen!
If you’d like to chip in to make the ’09 Walk a big success, you may make a contribution to any Pilot Club member or dial up www.alz.org/memorywalk on the Computer Box.
As usual, the Pilot Club thanks you, I thank you, and J.P. thanks you.
And somewhere Fats Domino is singing “I’ walking …”