Why I Walk To End Alzheimer’s – Melissa Burnside

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 upcoming 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 Melissa Burnside, of Rockaway, a participant in the Northwest Walk To End Alzheimer’s, taking place on Sunday, October 24 at Horseshoe Lake Park in Succasunna. "Melissa has been working alongside the Alzheimer's Association Greater New Jersey Chapter since our Northwest Walk began in 2018. We are so grateful for her commitment with our National team partner-Bayada, as a Walk team captain and a community liaison. Now as the Northwest Mission Chair, Melissa and I work together to identify ways we can recognize our top fundraisers. It is extremely helpful to get Melissa's perspective, both as a volunteer and as someone who has participated in the Walk for several years." said, Kayla Klinzing, Walk Manager.

Melissa’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.

Melissa explains, “Working in health care, I constantly see the impact that Alzheimer’s has on our clients and their families. My paternal grandfather also succumbed to the disease. For me, my efforts and desire to support this cause are both personal and professional.”

"I love contributing to the walk and watching it all come together on walk day. As Mission Chair, I get to recognize those that rally friends and family to help make the walk a success! It is all very rewarding, and I am especially thankful and proud of the support of my employer – Bayada, and their $5,000 sponsorship contribution to this year’s Northwest 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.

Register your team today. Sign up as a Team Captain or register to walk as an individual. Learn more at alz.org/njwalk. To donate, text 2ENDALZ to 51555, or contact us at gnjwalks@alz.org for more information.