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September 16. 2012 9:59PM
The McNamara family, from left, Mary, Ben, Maura, Elizabeth and Stephen “Mackie” McNamara is participating in this weekend's Walk to End Alzheimer's in Manchester. (COURTESY)
Londonderry family to join walk against Alzheimer's
The McNamara family, from left, Mary, Ben, Maura, Elizabeth and Stephen “Mackie” McNamara is participating in this weekend's Walk to End Alzheimer's in Manchester. (COURTESY)
LONDONDERRY — Over the years, folks could always count on Stephen “Mackie” McNamara when they needed a helping hand or a listening ear.
Following his diagnosis with Alzheimer's disease several years ago, McNamara, 63, a longtime Londonderry resident, now depends on the goodwill of others.
“He taught me about random acts of kindness,” said his daughter, Maura McNamara, 28. “If anyone was sick or if they had a death in the family, my dad would always be the first one to knock on their door with a homemade lasagna. I think friends and relatives aren't letting that go unnoticed.”
Mackie and his children, along with 40 or so extended family members and friends, will join hundreds of other affected families in Manchester this weekend for the 2012 Walk to End Alzheimer's event.
As of Sunday afternoon, the family's team, “Marching with Mackie,” had raised over $11,500 for the Alzheimer's Association.
With an original fundraising goal set at $800, the McNamara family, which includes Maura's brother Ben, 24, and sister Elizabeth, 22, had lower expectations when they'd first formed their team several months ago.
Emails were sent to distant relatives, who in turn, passed along information to far-reaching family and friends.
“We reached that early goal within a week,” Maura McNamara laughed. “That just goes to show how much people love my dad.”
As of this week the team has 40 members, though McNamara said she expects more will join.
“When you surround yourself with good people, good things happen,” she said, noting that her father, who still lives in his home with her mother, Mary, and is currently at a stage in his illness where he's still aware of his condition, wanted to help others coping with similar battles.
“As soon as I told him we were walking for him, he made it clear he wanted to be there with us that day,” said McNamara. “He even made a donation to the cause.”
According to Melanie Fleming, spokesman for the Alzheimer's Association of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, some 1,500 walkers are expected to participate in the Manchester walk this Saturday, Sept. 22, at Arms Park.
Across the state, similar events will be taking place around the same time this weekend, with a walk at Keene State College happening the same day, and walk at Strawberry Bank in Portsmouth scheduled for Sunday.
Alzheimer's disease is currently the nation's sixth leading cause of death, according to Fleming.
“As the baby boomers age, the number of individuals living with this disease can only escalate. We know it will increase well beyond today's estimated 5.4 million people,” she said.
In the Granite State alone, an estimated 22,000 people are living with Alzheimer's.
For the McNamara family, this weekend's walk is an important step toward a brighter future, not only for themselves but also for others who continue to struggle.
“We're not trying to make this about us but to bring awareness to this disease so hopefully one day it is gone, and no one has to go through this,” said Maura McNamara. “Walks like this will bring more awareness and help… and we hope eventually a solution.”
For more information or to sponsor a local walk, visit www.alz.org.
aguilmet@newstote.com
Following his diagnosis with Alzheimer's disease several years ago, McNamara, 63, a longtime Londonderry resident, now depends on the goodwill of others.
“He taught me about random acts of kindness,” said his daughter, Maura McNamara, 28. “If anyone was sick or if they had a death in the family, my dad would always be the first one to knock on their door with a homemade lasagna. I think friends and relatives aren't letting that go unnoticed.”
Mackie and his children, along with 40 or so extended family members and friends, will join hundreds of other affected families in Manchester this weekend for the 2012 Walk to End Alzheimer's event.
As of Sunday afternoon, the family's team, “Marching with Mackie,” had raised over $11,500 for the Alzheimer's Association.
With an original fundraising goal set at $800, the McNamara family, which includes Maura's brother Ben, 24, and sister Elizabeth, 22, had lower expectations when they'd first formed their team several months ago.
Emails were sent to distant relatives, who in turn, passed along information to far-reaching family and friends.
“We reached that early goal within a week,” Maura McNamara laughed. “That just goes to show how much people love my dad.”
As of this week the team has 40 members, though McNamara said she expects more will join.
“When you surround yourself with good people, good things happen,” she said, noting that her father, who still lives in his home with her mother, Mary, and is currently at a stage in his illness where he's still aware of his condition, wanted to help others coping with similar battles.
“As soon as I told him we were walking for him, he made it clear he wanted to be there with us that day,” said McNamara. “He even made a donation to the cause.”
According to Melanie Fleming, spokesman for the Alzheimer's Association of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, some 1,500 walkers are expected to participate in the Manchester walk this Saturday, Sept. 22, at Arms Park.
Across the state, similar events will be taking place around the same time this weekend, with a walk at Keene State College happening the same day, and walk at Strawberry Bank in Portsmouth scheduled for Sunday.
Alzheimer's disease is currently the nation's sixth leading cause of death, according to Fleming.
“As the baby boomers age, the number of individuals living with this disease can only escalate. We know it will increase well beyond today's estimated 5.4 million people,” she said.
In the Granite State alone, an estimated 22,000 people are living with Alzheimer's.
For the McNamara family, this weekend's walk is an important step toward a brighter future, not only for themselves but also for others who continue to struggle.
“We're not trying to make this about us but to bring awareness to this disease so hopefully one day it is gone, and no one has to go through this,” said Maura McNamara. “Walks like this will bring more awareness and help… and we hope eventually a solution.”
For more information or to sponsor a local walk, visit www.alz.org.
aguilmet@newstote.com
