Woodbridge woman is walking to End Alzheimer’s

Nicole McGee of Woodbridge knows Alzheimer’s disease and dementia all too well, losing her grandmother in 2013 and her mother in 2020. Now, McGee could be looking at her own future with the disease.

After watching her grandmother’s decline and eventually passing from Alzheimer’s, McGee purchased a kit from 23andMe to see if she might be at risk for Alzheimer’s – and discovered that she carried the APOE gene. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, family history is not necessary for an individual to develop Alzheimer's. However, research shows that those who have a parent or sibling with Alzheimer's are more likely to develop the disease than those who do not have a first-degree relative with Alzheimer’s. Risk genes such as APOE-e4 increase the likelihood of developing a disease but do not guarantee it will happen.

McGee will be participating in the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's Virginia Tri-Counties on Saturday, Oct. 16 at the Harris Pavilion in Old Town Manassas. Joining her on Team McGee are her husband, a new friend, an old friend, a close friend from the Girl Scout troop she leads, and a friend of her mother’s who is walking to honor her memory. The team has raised more than $1,700 to date, exceeding their goal of $1,500. Since McGee’s first Walk in 2012, she has been awarded a Walk Champion Medal five times.

The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research, held in more than 600 communities across the country. Since 2010, the Virginia Tri-Counties Walk to End Alzheimer’s has raised more than $1.3 million. As of October 15, the 143 teams and 512 participants registered to date for this Walk have raised more than $156,000 toward their goal of $170,000.

McGee is also on the planning committee for this year’s Walk. Registration is still open, and she encourages the community to come out for this important event. “If you don't already know someone with Alzheimer's, you will,” she said. “The numbers are rising and it is affecting so many people, even young people. This is the only disease that is 100% fatal and has no cure. You should join the fight so that we will have the first survivor of Alzheimer’s in our lifetime.”

With the health and safety of participants, staff and volunteers as top priorities, the Walk will implement safety protocols including physical distancing, masks (where required), contactless registration, hand sanitizing stations and more. Per CDC guidelines around crowded outdoor settings, we ask that all Walk attendees be vaccinated against COVID-19 or wear a mask when in an overcrowded area. Masks will be available on-site. Participants also are offered the option to participate online and in local neighborhoods.

Contactless registration will open at 9 a.m. on Saturday. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. Participation is free. Walkers are encouraged to raise funds. For more information and to register, visit alz.org/ncawalks or contact Sonya Amartey at 703-766-9025 or [email protected].