MOOSIC, Pa. — Hundreds of people decked in purple walked a lap around PNC Field for the annual Walk to End Alzheimer's.
Participants carried flowers, each color representing their connection to the disease; the white one for the hope for a cure and survivors. This is the largest yearly fundraiser for the Alzheimer's Association of Northeast PA.
"It just gives hope for the future that that white flower you saw down there hopes for a cure and a survivor one day that we have many more of those white flowers," said Kristen Martin from the Alzheimer's Association of Northeast PA.
Participants braved the cold and rainy weather to help raise money for a cause close to their hearts. Melanie Sheehan walks in support of her grandfather, who is battling Alzheimer's.
"Something that's unlike anything else, so it's really great just to be here even in this weather to see everybody come together," said Sheehan.
The blue flowers in the crowd represent those who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Mary Ellen Buckbee from Clarks Summit is one of them. She was diagnosed last year with early-onset Alzheimer's.
"My husband pointed out the fact that there was something wrong with me. For about two months, I cried every day, and I didn't know what to do," said Buckbee.
"The question of when is she going to stop remembering us and these things and trying to fit in the good days while we have them, and all the days right now are good days," said Buckbee's son, Cameron.
Two drugs have been approved by the FDA to treat the underlying cause of Alzheimer's disease just in the past two years. Mary Ellen is currently receiving treatment. She is seeing improvement and is living her mantra, 'Every day is a gift'.
"I feel like I'm exactly what I was before everything happened. That's one of the reasons why I came here, so that I could tell other people that there are ways that we can get a better life," said Mary Ellen.
Newswatch 16's Ally Gallo was also the emcee of the event.
Organizers say they have raised about $90,000, very close to their goal of $103,000 for the year.
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