The 2015 Golden Triangle Walk to End Alzheimer’s took place Oct. 31 at 9 a.m. in downtown Starkville. Volunteers from numerous Mississippi State University organizations, cheerleaders and MSU’S mascot, Bully, walked to raise money and awareness for the devastating disease.
Cindy Brown, the walk’s chair, said the two main goals were to raise money for Alzheimer’s research and to raise a wide awareness of the disease in the surrounding community.
“More than 51,000 Mississippians are currently suffering from this devastating disease. The more we can educate, the more we can raise awareness, the better we can find a cure,” Brown said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia, is a progressive disease which eventually leads to the loss of ability to carry on  conversations and respond to the environment.
The CDC also reported this disease involves parts of the brain that controls thought, memory and language and can seriously affect a person’s ability to perform daily activities. 
The MSU Library had a team enter the walk named Mitchell’s Marchers, which is chaired by Mary Ann Jones a librarian and associate professor. The team’s goal was to raise $2,000, which Jones said she believed they would exceed.
Jones is personally affected by Alzheimer’s and said she planned to walk in memory of her grandmother. Jones also said the harsh reality of the disease is in their final days, Alzheimer’s victims are alone because they no longer recognize their loved ones.
“I’m walking for my grandmother, which will hopefully help future sufferers and their loved ones have a better chance for relief from this disease through medication or a cure,” Jones said. “I’m committed to raising awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s research, care and support.”
 
Alzheimer’s has also personally affected Shellie Aultman, coordinator of business services for  Colvard Student Union, who has lost her grandmother, two aunts and most recently, her mother, from the disease.
Aultman, a member of the walk’s planning committee, was active in getting student organizations to participate in the event and said she felt it was important for young adults moving into the professional world to learn more about the disease.
“This is a very real disease for me. With my family history there is definitely a possibility that I will suffer from it myself in the future. I hate the way it changes people and losing such wonderful brilliant active lives because of having this disease just isn’t fair,” Aultman said.
Senator Roger Wicker served as the Honorary Champion at the walk Saturday, choosing this awareness walk over many others in Mississippi. Wicker spoke during the ceremony that kick started the event.
Wicker introduced a new bill in September that would award incentive cash prizes for breakthroughs in Alzheimer’s research, which is meant to encourage innovation toward finding a cure for the disease.
Brown said in a press release the walk hosted a Promise Garden where people affected by Alzheimer’s could dedicate a flower to a loved one, as well as a Trunk or Treat for children that started later that morning.