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Alzheimer's walk in Busse Woods laden with emotion for family, caregivers

Bob Obregon of Palatine was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease at the tender age of 56. For 10 years his wife, Theresa, cared for him. Every day.

His family has participated in the annual Walk Against Alzheimer's, a fundraising effort of the Alzheimer's Association, since 2014.

Bob participated alongside them the first two years. But the family walked without him on Saturday. He died Oct. 12.

Some 793 walkers comprising 100 teams celebrated and cried Saturday during a 5-kilometer trek through Busse Woods near Elk Grove Village. They raised $189,643 for Alzheimer's disease research, far eclipsing their goal of $165,000. The walk is one of several around the suburbs.

Walks last weekend raised $194,804 in Glenview and $392,951 in Naperville. A walk Saturday in St. Charles raised $139,093, while one Sunday in Lake in the Hills already has raised $79,374. A walk Oct. 8 in Northbrook aims to raise $255,000.

Kari-Ann Ryan of Medinah was participating in her ninth consecutive walk. She took the stage to talk about her grandmother, who suffered from the disease for 12 years and spent her last nine in a nursing home. Ryan is the captain for Lost Souls, the day's top fundraising team. She said she raises money and walks in honor of her mother and all caregivers.

Walkers carried pinwheel flowers whose bright colors signified they were walking either for a loved one who'd died, a loved one who suffers from the disease, for a caregiver or simply in support of the cause. The day was as much about honoring the tireless efforts of caregivers as it was remembering those lost to the disease.

Drivers on Higgins Road honked in support as a sea of purple crossed over them on a pedestrian bridge.

Sonia Kersting of Palatine was Bob Obregon's daughter. She got misty talking not just about her dad but about what the Alzheimer's Association has done for her family.

“They've been amazing. They gave us resources to have caregivers come in. They gave us access to counseling. He was so young. We were definitely in denial.

“They helped with money. They steered us to other resources, like Catholic Charities. They've been unbelievable,” she said.

To learn more about Alzheimer's disease, to get involved or to donate to research, go to www.ALZ.org.

  Kari-Ann Ryan of Medinah, far left, participated Saturday in her ninth Alzheimer's Association fundraising walk. She is team captain for Lost Souls, the top fundraising group at the walk. Standing with her are Susan Brushaber of Elk Grove Village, Jennifer Petersen of Hampshire and Colleen Nielsen of Elk Grove Village. Jim Baumann/jbaumann@dailyherald.com
  Melissa Cunefare of Poplar Grove, formerly of Schaumburg, dressed her dog Wednesday in a tutu and fairy wings for the Walk to End Alzheimer's. Jim Baumann/jbaumann@dailyherald.com
  Walkers start their 5-kilometer trek Saturday morning through Busse Woods near Elk Grove Village. All told, 739 participants in 100 teams raised $189,643 for Alzheimer's disease research. The group's goal was $165,000. Jim Baumann/jbaumann@dailyherald.com
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