Why I Walk To End Alzheimer's - Lexi Thomson

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 Lexi Thomson of Boonton, a three-time participant in the Northwest Walk To End Alzheimer’s, taking place on Sunday, October 24 at Horseshoe Lake Park in Succasunna. "Lexi has participated in our Northwest Walk since 2018 and is the Recruitment Chair on our Volunteer Walk Planning Committee. She is always identifying new people that could benefit from participating in the event. Lexi continues to raise concern and awareness of the Association’s vision – a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia - and it is beautiful that she continues to keep her grandfather's memory alive with her efforts." said, Kayla Klinzing, Walk Manager.

Lexi’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.

Lexi explains, “I have been walking with the Alzheimer’s Association since 2018. I walk for my grandfather, William John Stager, who was born on April 17, 1931 in Paterson, NJ. In 1948, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the US Army and was stationed in Germany during the Korean War. He was a mine and demolition specialist and was wounded in the leg by shrapnel by an exploding land mine. In 1952, after returning from the Army, he started working for Scerbo Lumber in Parsippany, which fueled his love for woodworking. In 1966, he moved to Boonton Township with his family and remained there for the rest of his life. He loved creating things with wood and in his workshop he built many things including an outdoor bench swing, furniture, name and address signs, toy boxes, wishing wells, and countless other handmade gifts. He could replicate something that he saw without needing a pattern. His memory was his pattern. Since he was discharged from the Army on a "Friday the 13th", he considered it his lucky day and could usually be found at a casino on many Friday the 13th’s that followed.

“In 2004, he started losing his memory and forgetting names and simple words, and then how to use the equipment he had used for many years. He was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia, and his memory loss got progressively worse until he lost his battle with the disease in 2010.”

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.