Actors & Artists Unite Walk for Alzheimer’s at Tongva Park

Django and I love going places. When he sees me vs. his mom or dad owner(s) - he knows adventures lay ahead and... lots of surprises. I love this little guy and hope you enjoy the many things we like doing together. Who knows, we might meet you along the way by land, sea or air - and it will be a pleasure. Some of our outtings have been published, like this one and we'll be doing the Tongva Park walk again on September 22nd. So, look for our update! 

​Santa Monica, CA 09/24/2018 – Walks to End Alzheimer’s are getting larger every year due to the increase of awareness and medical research made available to the public. AA (Actors & Artists) Unite has grown nationwide since 2011 – to the current total of 44 teams – nationwide – in 2018 and have hit the historic goal of having raised over $255,000. Nancy Daly is a team captain and her motto like so many others is – we walk until we find a cure.

​​Sunday at Tongva Park in Santa Monica, California – brought celebrated actress Marcia Gay Harden and her daughter Eulala came to walk for Harden’s mother, Barbara, while suffering from the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s no longer knows the family she raised. Eulala pledged to keep up the fight for the younger generation as the duo walked with a group of 14 year-olds – raising funds along with everyone else who came with a story.

Django and I walked for three people, two gone, one still here. He loved chasing my purple fan I swung around in circles - leaping as high as he could and that's over 6 feet! Plus he carries and shares his poop bags for those owners who forget. Whatta dawg... and we walked with some very large dogs. You're welcome streets of Santa Monica!
​ 
Fame brings the press but the faces here are the faces of every man, woman or child who may be walking around with the predisposition to the disease. The masses of people who walk are everyone from everywhere and it’s inspiring to be a part of the gentleness of the gatherings. People open up with the most heart-wrenching stories of loss that was or is to come.

​It’s a tribe of comradery – one that refuses to give up because each year brings more news of offsetting the disease, keeping it from progressing and one day of course that needed cure so that people aren’t returned to the womb while living. Alzheimer’s gives one either a long or slow descent into a role reversal that devastates the afflicted and affected by this insidious disease.

---

The dog, the sign, the Alzheimer's warrior in the background. EMF

Handheld colorful flowers – called Promise Flowers – represent the diverse reasons participants have gathered. Participants will have an opportunity to write a personal message on their promise flower to further strengthen their dedication.

Once this message is written, participants come together for a heartfelt ceremony prior to the Walk. Then together, the Promise Flowers create a dynamic, colorful and meaningful garden that they will enter as they conclude their walk. A lone white flower is held up at the beginning of the ceremony in hopes that it will be held by all – when a cure is found. Participants are then welcome to stroll through the garden, read each other’s stories and take their Promise Flower home as remembrance of their Walk experience and the promises made. 

---

We gave out Django's dog poop bags he carries for the other canines whose owners forgot.

​Below, is the meaning of each color:

• Blue — I have Alzheimer’s
• Yellow — I am supporting or caring for someone with Alzheimer’s
• Purple — I have lost someone to Alzheimer’s
• Orange — I support the cause and a vision of a world without Alzheimer’s​

TEAM ACTOR'S UNITE - THE BEST TEAM!

It’s a beautiful way to start a day with a beasty bestie - like Django - and for a common cause. To a cure!

To join a chapter near you - even nationwide: Alzheimer's Association California Southland Chapter is on FB or sign up at their website: WALK TO END ALZHEIMER'S
Twitter:  @alzassociation    #Walk2EndAlz

Kenny Chesney's tribute to his father who has Alzheimer's.