GALLERY» Maria Shriver’s March on Alzheimer’s
LONG BEACH — When Marilyn Blue’s mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at age 81, the illness hit fast and hard.
“Pretty soon she didn’t even recognize us,” said Blue, who now regularly visits her mother at an assisted living home in Hesperia with her sisters Lisa and Jan Etzkorn. “The last few years have been really difficult, but I always hope that somewhere in the back of her mind, she knows it’s us.”
Blue and her sisters were among an estimated 2,000 people who joined California first lady Maria Shriver on Sunday for the March on Alzheimer’s and candlelight vigil in Rainbow Lagoon.
The event, which kicked off the 2010 Women’s Conference today and Tuesday, brought out a star-studded lineup of supporters including event emcee Leeza Gibbons, actor Peter Gallagher, actress Sally Field, fashion designers Donna Karan and Betsey Johnson, actress Soleil Moon Frye, Body By Jake CEO Jake Steinfeld and Food Network star Paula Deen.
Actress Jane Fonda was on hand to lead the group in a short series of warm-up exercises before the 5K march along Shoreline Drive. As the star led the crowd in a few pliés, actress Jane Lynch from the hit TV show “Glee” suddenly jumped on stage.
“I’m here to make sure they do it right,” said Lynch, stirring peals of laughter. “The Janes are gonna warm you up!”
The crowd donned purple T-shirts of support and many held pictures of loved ones affected by the disease as they marched along the shoreline in cool and misty weather.
Long Beach resident Lindi Ruan, marching on her 53rd birthday, wore a yellow T-shirt with a picture of her mother, Dorothy Harris.
Ruan said her 88-year-old mother, who was once a “Rosie the Riveter” during WWII, has regressed into a child-like state since she was diagnosed about eight years ago.
“It’s the hardest thing ever,” Ruan said. “That’s why we need to find a cure fast.”
Barbara Fitzharris of Tahoe City said she was there to support her longtime friend, who was diagnosed with the disease at 45 and is now in a vegetative state at age 53.
“This is a horrible disease,” Fitzharris said. “You don’t think it can happen to people this young, but we’re seeing it more and more.”
Shriver, whose father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2003, said she organized the event with the hope of shining a spotlight on the devastating disease.
“This is a disease that knows no age boundaries and knows no economic boundaries,” Shriver told the crowd. “It’s everyone’s disease.”
As a surprise guest, the first lady brought along her husband Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who said the rise in Alzheimer’s is “a huge challenge for the state and country.”
The march was followed by a candlelight vigil with musical performances by country singer Brett Eldredge and “Glee” actress Amber Riley.
The march raised more than $250,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association.
Shriver has been a constant advocate for families struggling with Alzheimer’s since her father, Sargent Shriver, was diagnosed. In 2003, she penned a children’s book called “What’s Happening to Grandpa?”
Last year, she appeared in and was the executive producer of “The Alzheimer’s Project” on HBO and also testified in Congress to revamp the health care system for Alzheimer’s patients and their families.
About 5.3 million people in the U.S. are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The number of those diagnosed has jumped almost 50 percent from 2000 to 2006, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
For more information, visit www.alz.org.
kelly.puente@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1305
