SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — On Saturday, people will gather in Sioux Falls to fight a disease that affects families all over KELOLAND.
The annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s raises money for care and support and research to cure the disease.
From yard signs to pinwheels, drive by Sandi Vietor’s home and you’ll know she’s passionate about the fight against Alzheimer’s Disease.
In 2015, her husband Ken was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer’s at the age of 60.
She recalls a moment with her husband leading up to the diagnosis.
“He handed me our checkbook and he said, ‘I can’t do this anymore. I can’t balance the checkbook. I don’t know if there’s money in the account or not,'” Vietor said.
Shortly after the diagnosis, Sandi sought the help of the Alzheimer’s Association of South Dakota.
“I went to their office and they immediately provided me with resources and support I’ve been using all the years,” Vietor said.
On Saturday, people will lace up their shoes to help even more families like the Vietors and support research.
“The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is really our largest support group because it’s really an opportunity for people to stand shoulder to shoulder with others in the community who understand what this disease is like, who want to see it ended, maybe if it’s too late for their own generation, they’re looking out for grandkids and children,” Alzheimer’s Association of South Dakota State Executive Director Leslie Morrow said.
Sandi’s husband died in hospice in 2021.
She’ll be taking part in the walk Saturday.
“The more we can get a hand on early diagnosis and early treatment, the better those lives will be for people going forward. I don’t want anybody having to end their life as early as Ken did. He was so full of life until he wasn’t,” Vietor said.
You can register online or at 8:30 a. m. Saturday at Levitt at the Falls.
There will be an opening ceremony at 10 a.m., and then the walk will begin.
