Why I Walk to End Alzheimer’s: Maggie Goonan’s Story

The Alzheimer's Association Delaware Valley Chapter is spotlighting people who are making a difference in the fight to end Alzheimer's by participating in the 2021 Walk to End Alzheimer's—the world's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care, support and research.

Today we lift up Maggie Goonan of Middletown, a participant in the Wilmington Walk to End Alzheimer's, which took place on Saturday, October 23 at Delcastle Recreational Park in Wilmington.

More than two decades ago, Maggie and her mother, Alecia LaScala, began participating in the Memory Walk (as it was then called) in memory of her mother’s brothers, Tommy and Jackie, who both had Alzheimer’s disease. Believing Alzheimer’s would be her own fate, Alecia was known to say, “I’m walking for me.”

Unfortunately, Maggie’s mother—described as upbeat, active and fun loving, with the most infectious laugh—would be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2012 at age 68.

“Watching what this disease has done to my mother has been heart-wrenching,” said Maggie. Despite all that my Mom has been through, she is still my rock and the strongest person I will ever know. For years she worried about becoming a burden. For me, caring for her has never been a burden—only an honor and a privilege.”

Maggie is team captain of “Movin’ Mountains for Mom,” her Wilmington Walk to End Alzheimer’s team of a dozen family and friends who Walk to create awareness and raise funds in the fight to end dementia.

“There are no coincidences,” Maggie continued. “The location of Saturday’s Wilmington Walk is right behind my mother’s house, making this year’s effort even more emotional. Mom walked there daily for years.”

To honor her mother and uncles, Maggie has become a vocal advocate in the fight to end dementia, participating in public policy initiatives, writing articles and speaking on the subject of caregiving and the importance of becoming a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.

“While it’s too late for my mother, I’m hopeful that by continuing to participate in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s I will be there to see a white flower held high to signify that we’ve found Alzheimer’s first survivor,” Maggie shared.

More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease, the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S. and the only disease among the top 10 that cannot be cured, prevented or slowed. Additionally, more than 11 million family and friends provide care to people with Alzheimer's and other dementias in the United States. In Delaware alone, there are more than 19,000 people living with the disease and 46,000 caregivers.

Visit alz.org/walk, to learn more, register, and find a Walk to End Alzheimer's location near you.