By James Bell
Hays Post

Alzheimer’s disease – currently affecting the lives of 20 million Americans, with 5 million being afflicted, and 15 million more working as care givers – can be crushing to anyone affected. The Fort Hays State University National Student Speech Language Hearing Association is doing their part raising funds for their team set to participate in the Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

The event will begin at 11 a.m. at the Robbins Center on the FHSU campus.

“As a future SLP (speech language pathologist) it is within our scope of practice that we will potentially see people with Alzheimer’s,” said Savannah Stevens, team captain of the FHSU NSSLHA. “It’s also in our scope of practice that we engage in prevention and advocacy activities.”

The group has taken that charge seriously with their participation this year, having already raised almost half of their group’s fundraising goal.

“We thought it would be a great way to get involved in something that is dear to us,” Stevens said. “It’s really important to raise awareness and help raise funds.”

In just over two weeks the group has raised $460 of its $1,000 goal.

“This is something new (for us) this year,” Stevens said. “We did this last minute, so that’s really awesome so far.”

Nationally, the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the largest fundraising event in the nation and works to raise awareness and fund Alzheimer research.

While the group is actively recruiting from within their own, outside help is sought as well.

“We’re welcoming anyone that would like to participate,” Stevens said. “Outside people can walk as well.”

If people are interested in helping out, but are unable to participate in the walk, donations can also be accepted through the group’s donation page here.

The NSSLHA was founded in 1972 and serves as the national organization for students in the study of normal and disordered human communication.