LIHUE — Charlie Rebb, at 91 years young, was the oldest walker Saturday walking to end Alzheimer’s Disease. The former U.S. Navy Fire Department Chief led more than 100 walkers who took time out of their Labor Day weekend to
LIHUE — Charlie Rebb, at 91 years young, was the oldest walker Saturday walking to end Alzheimer’s Disease.
The former U.S. Navy Fire Department Chief led more than 100 walkers who took time out of their Labor Day weekend to join the fight against Alzheimer’s.
Rebb, serving as the walk’s ambassador for the past several years, led the Regency at Puakea Roadsters who hosted a “donate-what-you-can” car wash last week to help raise funds.
“This is a way we collect funds to support our movement to end a deadly disease,” said Humberto Blanco, the Kauai Alzheimer’s Association program coordinator. “The Walk represents our dedication that together, we can support efforts to find a cure for this disease.”
Blanco said while work on finding a cure is taking place, funds are also used for caregiver training, public education programs, support groups and counseling services to ease the effects of the disease on families and individuals.
Blanco got help from FM97’s on-air personality Ron Wood in noting the 11 teams who participated in this year’s fight against Alzheimer’s.
“There is much to be done. But there is also much to be grateful for,” Blanco said.
The goal of this year’s walk was $30,000.
The United Healthcare, the county’s Housing Agency, the Kauai Search and Rescue K-9 unit, St. Francis Homehealth, Bayada, Ohana Homehealth, Kauai Hospice, and the Kauai Care Center in Waimea fielded teams for the walk.
Other teams included the Kauai Adult Day Health Center whose Caryn Sakahashi served as event co-chair along with Gonsalves.
The county’s Agency on Elderly Affairs Memory Keepers led by Patricia Gonsalves, a community service worker, hosted a rummage sale last week that raised about $3,000.
