She Lost Her Husband to Alzheimer’s, Now Walks to Find a Cure

When Chris Anderson’s husband Dave was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease a decade ago, they felt overwhelmed and powerless. When they found their way to The Alzheimer’s Association, they found the information and support they needed, as well as a feeling of hope. That very year, Chris and Dave joined the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

The Walk to End Alzheimer's takes place annually in over 600 communities nationwide. Taken together, walks around the country comprise the world's largest event raising funds for the Alzheimer's Association.

Their first Walk consisted of a team of four and a goal of raising $2,000. Chris started by asking friends and family to contribute. Encouraged by their response, she grew bolder. One year, team members approached her with the idea for a fundraiser, a dinner with a silent auction. She accepted the challenge, and that year the event helped contribute to a record-breaking year for her team, which raised over $20,000 with its fundraising efforts.

In the years since Chris has become a powerhouse fundraiser. A teacher for over thirty years, she has reached out to former students she has not seen in decades. Regarding reaching out to ask for money her motto is, “You have to ask, or you won’t know.”

Dave passed away five years after being diagnosed, but Chris hasn’t stopped walking. She walks to give back to the community that supported them during Dave’s years living with Alzheimer’s and her time as a caregiver. Her favorite thing about the Walk is seeing her team come out to share an annual remembrance of her husband, working together for a cure.

It’s not just her team that inspires her, it’s the people who walk carrying the flower that represents where they are in the fight. The courage of those living with Alzheimer’s who carry a blue flower. Those who have lost loved ones, who carry purple flowers. Those caring for someone with Alzheimer’s who carry a yellow flower. And finally, those who carry orange flowers, who are committed to supporting the work in many ways, including building awareness, research, and advocacy.

She is encouraged by the increased public awareness she sees around Alzheimer’s in the form of informational programs, films, books, and other media. She also feels hopeful about recent progress in research. She wishes that people knew what symptoms to look for earlier and that there is support available.

When she’s not busy volunteering, Chris is enjoying her retirement to the fullest. She loves the outdoors, including hiking, and photography. During their life together, Chris and Dave especially loved to travel. She remembers it as “the greatest enrichment in our lives.” Her love of travel remains undiminished.

For more information on this year’s October 9 walk, go to act.alz.org/Sonoma-Marin2021.

Money raised by the Sonoma-Marin walk will help fund local support groups and educational programs as well as critical research toward a cure for Alzheimer's Disease.

Article written by Christine Sykes.