Why I Walk To End Alzheimer’s: Sari Farhi

The Alzheimer's Association Greater New Jersey Chapter is spotlighting people who are making a difference in the fight to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia, by participating in the 2021 Walk to End Alzheimer’s (WTEA) - the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

Today we say thank you to Sari Farhi of Cranbury, NJ, a participant in the Mercer-Middlesex Walk to End Alzheimer’s, held on Sunday, September 19 at Veterans Park in Hamilton. "As a returning team captain, Sari has achieved Elite Grand Champion's Club status this year by raising over $3,000 and counting! She invited others to join her team to honor her mother. That is really what the Walk to End Alzheimer's is all about - coming together with your friends and family to raise funds and awareness so we can put an end to this terrible disease. I am so glad Sari joined us again for the 2021 season and I was honored to walk alongside her and her team, the Forget Me Nots!" said, JoAnne LaPergola, Walk Manager.

Sari’s extraordinary passion and dedication to helping all those affected by the disease has inspired and motivated others to get involved. The funds raised by her effort, and others, helps propel the Association’s mission forward - accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.

Sari explains, “This year, I walked to raise money to fight Alzheimer's disease and honor my mother who is living with Alzheimer’s. This is a very personal journey for my family. Alzheimer's is a disease that no one wants to admit having and in fact, my mother might be very upset if she knew that I was sharing her story. It is a disease that has made my mother very silent. She is no longer the happy, outgoing woman she once was. My father is an amazing caregiver and now takes care of her 24/7. It is overwhelming at times. He now needs to cook, clean and manage her medications all the time. It is very sad watching her deteriorate and missing some of the things she used to enjoy like stamping and card making.”

Sari adds, “My future could be at risk unless we can find a way to change the course of this disease. That is why I urge everyone to participate in, and raise funds for, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.”

More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease, the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S. and the only disease among the top 10 that cannot be cured, prevented or even slowed. Additionally, more than 11 million family and friends provide care to people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias in the U.S. In New Jersey alone, there are more than 190,000 people living with the disease and 347,000 caregivers.

Fundraising continues through December 31. Learn more at alz.org/njwalk. To donate, text 2ENDALZ to 51555, or contact us at gnjwalks@alz.org for more information.