It’s a walk that they don’t want anybody to forget. Edgecomb residents Kate Pinkham and Tom Boudin are participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, a nationwide effort in September and October that promotes awareness for the disease, which is associated with dementia and memory loss.

Pinkham and Boudin have formed a team and will walk two miles in Brunswick on Saturday, Oct. 24. The two hope other community members will join them. Brunswick and Bangor’s Oct. 24 walks are the last of eight held in Maine.

On Sept. 19, Calais and York Beach hosted the first walks. Fort Kent, Lewiston, Augusta and Portland also hosted walks this fall.  

In 1989, Walk to End Alzheimer’s began in nine locations raising over $149,000. Last year, it took place in 600 communities with 49,000 teams raising over $67 million.

This is the first time either Pinkham or Boudin have participated. They were inspired to walk this year because the disease has touched their lives. Pinkham’s father died last July at age 85 from the disease. Boudin saw how the progressive brain disorder slowly destroyed a former employers’ memory and thinking skills to the point she eventually couldn’t carry out the simplest tasks.

“It was so sad to watch,” Boudin said. “I remember her being so upset because she was confused. It progressed to the point where she couldn’t remember where she was.”

Alzheimer’s disease impacts the lives of five million patients and their families each year, according to the National Alzheimer’s Association, the organization that sponsors the event.

When her father became diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Pinkham registered on the association’s website to learn more about the disease. She received an email this year inviting her to participate in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

“I read it, and decided I really wanted to do this. This is an nationwide event bringing awareness and funding to this disease. I’m hoping the more this will all lead to a cure someday,” she said.

Pinkham is the pastor at the Edgecomb Congregational Church. She recruited Boudin who has served as the church’s treasurer for years. Boudin has also worked on other senior related issues. He is a former Lincoln County ElderCare board member.

When Pinkham recruited him, Boudin remembered how his former employer and her family suffered with the disease. Boudin registered on the association’s website to participate in the walk. He is also a team captain responsible for recruiting more members and soliciting donations.

“I’m doing better with the fundraising than recruitment,” he said. “I raised $450 from about 10 people. But right now, the team is just Kate and me.”

Boudin and Pinkham are looking for more team members. They believe a large turnout in Brunswick will boost the public interest in a disease that is still a mystery in the medical profession.  

Alzheimer’s disease afflicts five million Americans. It is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually the ability to carry out the simplest tasks.

That much is known. But research has been unsuccessful in finding a cure or determining what causes the disease.

“The money goes to research and education,” Pinkham said. “A link between Alzheimer’s and Stage Three diabetes was discovered. My father had diabetes. So I believe the more we learn about Alzheimer’s, the closer we are to finding a cure.”

Boudin and Pinkham plan on participating in the 9 a.m. rally, which precedes the walk at 9:30 a.m. Anyone interested in joining the team or donating should contact Boudin at 207-882-7972 or Pinkham at 207-877-1681.