This past month, the Watson Gainesville and Tioga offices combined their efforts and sponsored the hydration station for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s event. Gainesville VP/Managing Broker Dave Ferro and associate Leslie Ferro, along with Tioga associate Jan Ecklord, helped organize the Watson efforts for the walk.
“Although I have not lost anyone in my family to Alzheimer’s, I have worked as a nurse for many years with patients going through the stages of dementia and helping find a cure is very important to me,” said Jan.
For Leslie, the walk also holds a special meaning.
“I walk for my father, Wesley Charles Willner,” said Leslie. “I started to lose him to Alzheimer’s when I was 10 years old, and I walk, volunteer, and fundraise to help find a cure so no one else has to lose a loved one to this devastating disease.”
According to the Walk to End Alzheimer’s website, the event is held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide and is the world's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care, support, and research.
For more information on the event or to make a donation, click here or visit the official Walk to End Alzheimer’s website at act.alz.org.
“Although I have not lost anyone in my family to Alzheimer’s, I have worked as a nurse for many years with patients going through the stages of dementia and helping find a cure is very important to me,” said Jan.
For Leslie, the walk also holds a special meaning.
“I walk for my father, Wesley Charles Willner,” said Leslie. “I started to lose him to Alzheimer’s when I was 10 years old, and I walk, volunteer, and fundraise to help find a cure so no one else has to lose a loved one to this devastating disease.”
According to the Walk to End Alzheimer’s website, the event is held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide and is the world's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care, support, and research.
Photos: (Left) Adrienne Vihlen and her daughter, Ellis, in front and
Brenda, Ed, Dave and Jan in the back, snap a quick selfie at the event table.
(Right) The hydration station is open (look up, Ben!)
The event took place October 16 beginning at 10 a.m. at the Riverwalk Crossing Park on Court Street in Jacksonville. Christine John-Fuller, VP Communications Alzheimer's Association, said several hundred people were in attendance, in addition to our Watson offices, and the event raised close to $36K.
During the walk, each participant committed to ending this disease carried a flower to represent what ending this disease and finding a cure means to them.Photo: Each flower has its own unique and special meaning.
Photo: Participants hold up their colored flowers.
For more information on the event or to make a donation, click here or visit the official Walk to End Alzheimer’s website at act.alz.org.