Fayetteville Alzheimer's Walk: A Nurse's Personal Battle

Amy Hamby from Erwin will walk in Fayetteville this Saturday to honor her late father while facing her own diagnosis of early-stage Alzheimer's. The annual Walk to End Alzheimer's is scheduled to draw hundreds of participants to Segra Stadium at 9 a.m. on Saturday. This gathering highlights a widespread public health challenge affecting more than seven million Americans. That figure represents roughly one in nine individuals aged 65 and older. A new diagnosis is made every 65 seconds in the United States, each bringing a unique family story of perseverance.

Hamby is participating as both a daughter and a patient. She will wear a Team Poppy shirt to remember her father, whom the family affectionately called Poppy. He passed away in 2008. At that time, the family did not fully grasp the genetic nature of the illness. Hamby noted that she had no idea her father carried the gene. She also did not know she would inherit it, despite her background as a nurse.

Her own journey began with a diagnosis of early-stage Alzheimer's in 2024 at age 59. Initially, she attributed her symptoms to the common post-viral fatigue known as brain fog. A few years later, she realized something was different. Testing revealed she carries two copies of the APOE-4 gene. This is a major risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's. One copy increases risk by two to three times. Two copies can raise the risk by as much as 10 to 15 times.

Hamby is currently waiting for approved treatments. She acknowledges that these therapies carry significant risks for someone with two gene copies. However, she believes the potential benefits make the risk worth taking. Daily life presents challenges, such as needing her children to repeat questions. Yet she continues to engage in activities she loves, like cooking. She recently flipped through a cookbook of family recipes, which helped her recall fond memories and enjoy sharing meals with her loved ones.

Since her diagnosis, Hamby has taken an active role in advocacy. She traveled to Raleigh to work on legislation that supports Alzheimer's research and care. She expressed her desire to have many more years with her children and to live life to the fullest. The community can still register for the walk if they wish to participate or show support for the cause.

The event serves as a reminder of the human element behind the statistics. It brings together families who are navigating the complexities of the disease. By walking together, participants aim to raise awareness and funds for a condition that affects so many households across the country. The morning gathering in Fayetteville offers a chance for neighbors and friends to stand in solidarity with those affected.