Malena Peraza lost her mother to dementia and felt lost after her mom was diagnosed. “I was raising two kids, and I had no idea once we discovered that my mom had dementia, I didn’t know how to care for her,” says Malena. She decided to take action and started to raise funds to hopefully help find a cure. Malena serves as the fundraising manager for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Verde Valley Walk.
Prior to 2022, the walk took place in Sedona until it was moved to Cottonwood. These walks take place all over the country. “What makes the Verde Valley walk so unique, and it’s actually so beautiful. I’m so proud. We’re a small, but mighty town,” she says. “The people are so community-minded and oriented.” Funds raised from this walk benefit the Alzheimer’s Association, a national nonprofit that strives to support Alzheimer’s care, support and research. A registration fee is not required to participate in the walk, but participants are encouraged to fundraise for the organization. Strollers and well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome.
Last year, the Verde Valley walk raised just less than $150,000 for the national nonprofit. The majority of the money goes toward research, but most of the rest funds in-person support groups. Each registered participant receives a Promise Garden flower. These flowers come in four different colors that each represent the participant’s link to Alzheimer’s. For instance, purple means that the person has lost someone to Alzheimer’s. A ceremony kicks off the festivities. During the ceremony, the walk organizers discuss how much money is raised and offer up information about support programs, advocacy, education and resources that those affected by dementia and Alzheimer’s can access. Post-ceremony, the walk begins. Participants can choose to do a half-mile short walk or a longer just less than 2 miles walk.
“Is it a lot of work to do an event? Absolutely, but it’s so worthwhile, because when you see families and caregivers and even people that have [dementia] come together and hug and smile and love … it’s beautiful,” she says. “That’s what this is about, and it’s so nobody has to go alone through this journey.” – Teresa K. Traverse
