Why I Walk To End Alzheimer's - Ashley Cramer

The Alzheimer's Association Greater New Jersey Chapter is spotlighting people who are making a difference in the fight to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia, by participating in the upcoming 2021 Walk To End Alzheimer’s (WTEA) - the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

Today we say thank you to Ashley Cramer of Denville, a participant in the Northwest Walk To End Alzheimer’s, taking place on Sunday, October 24 at Horseshoe Lake Park in Succasunna. "I have walked alongside Ashley at our Northwest Walk since it began in 2018. Her passion and excitement is what I look forward to seeing most on event day. Ashley is so incredibly committed to her residents at Brightview Senior Living in Randolph - many of whom are living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia - and in turn is passionately committed to the mission of the Alzheimer's Association. She continues to come up with unique ways to raise funds and awareness and is a top fundraiser year after year. This season, the Brightview Randolph team is the largest it's ever been and I can't wait to see all 48 team members at the Walk, with Ashley leading the charge!” said, Kayla Klinzing, Walk Manager.

Ashley’s extraordinary passion and dedication to helping all those affected by the disease has inspired and motivated others to get involved. The funds raised by her effort, and others, helps propel the Association’s mission forward - accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.

Ashley explains, “Ever since I stumbled upon a job opportunity as an Activities Assistant in an assisted living community, I was immediately drawn to the residents of the memory care neighborhood and the beautiful people that lived there. Being new to senior living, I was not aware of the amount of specialized care these individuals need at such a precious stage in their lives. The more I worked with them, the more knowledge I gained from them – from listening to their beautiful stories, to their knowledge of U.S. history. Their journeys are all so different, but their hearts are all the same. The residents that I have worked with over the last 15 years have affected me greatly. I walk to honor all of them. I have been active in the Walk To End Alzheimer’s for many years in one capacity or another - from walking, to volunteering, to working at the event and fundraising. My goal is to give back at least half as much as these people have given to me. I walk to honor the residents of our memory care neighborhood, Wellspring Village, past, present and future.”

“What I’m looking forward to most this year, is gathering again as a group and feeling the positive, upbeat energy of all the participants, volunteers, sponsors and loved ones. Walk day is one of my favorite days of the year. I am especially thankful and proud of the support of my employer and National Team, Brightview Senior Living, for their support and continued commitment, to the Walk To End Alzheimer’s.”

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 even slowed. Additionally, more than 11 million family and friends provide care to people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias in the U.S. In New Jersey alone, there are more than 190,000 people living with the disease and 347,000 caregivers.

Register your team today. Sign up as a Team Captain or register to walk as an individual. Learn more at alz.org/njwalk. To donate, text 2ENDALZ to 51555, or contact us at gnjwalks@alz.org for more information.