Why I Walk to End Alzheimer’s: Emily Chan

The Alzheimer's Association Greater New Jersey Chapter (AAGNJ) is spotlighting people and organizations who are making a difference in the fight to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia, by participating in the 2023 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 Emily Chan who walked to honor her mother, Johnine. Emily and her team, Johnine’s Journey, have raised nearly $11,000 so far. The Northwest Walk to End Alzheimer’s took place on Saturday, October 21 at Landing Park in Landing, NJ. Emily is team captain and her efforts are ongoing as participation and fundraising continue through December 31.

Emily’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, help to propel the Association’s mission forward - accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.

“Community partners like Emily are the change drivers. The Alzheimer's Association Greater New Jersey Chapter (AAGNJ) is committed to collaborating with our community partners to create a safety net around those impacted by dementia", said chapter executive director, Cheryl Ricci-Francione. "We provide a vast array of resources and educational programs to New Jersey residents, all at no cost. We are able to provide these services due to the generous support of our donors like Emily and team Johnine’s Journey."

Emily explains, “Our mom, Johnine Chan, was unexpectedly diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s in January 2022. Our family does not have a history of this disease so we are navigating this for the first time. Although it has been extremely hard, we are learning more every day and growing closer as a family. We are so grateful for the caring people in our lives who help us when we need it most. Our family is blown away by the amount of support we received right out of the gate when we signed up for this walk! We are so excited to meet new people and bond over our journey with Alzheimer’s. Attending the Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be a new tradition that we will carry on for the rest of our lives!”

Walk Manager, Kevin Roman adds, "We're thankful and honored to walk alongside Emily, her mother, and her family, and support them through their journey. Their story shows the importance of early diagnosis, awareness for families, even if they have no history, and the need for resources along every step of the way."

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 272,000 caregivers.

Learn more at alz.org/njwalk. To donate, text 2ENDALZ to 51555, or contact Kevin Roman, Walk Manager, at [email protected] for more information.