There are numerous reasons why people celebrate or support various causes. It could be something they believe. It could stem from wanting to help others. Or, it could be to help family and relatives. Any reason is valid to assist in a given cause.
For Dori Siano of Westerly, her reason is deeply personal. Her mother, Cynthia Siswick, passed away from Alzheimer’s Disease three years ago at the age of 73. It was a gut punch to lose someone very close, but it was compounded by the lack of information Dori could summon. Dori was not familiar with the Alzheimer’s Association at that time.
“Outside of my family and friends, there wasn’t a bunch of places that I could go to seek help,” she said. “I learned about the Alzheimer’s Association of Rhode Island and have been an advocate for them ever since.”
In speaking about Cynthia, Dori recalls the interactions she had with her. Cynthia lived in a nursing home for 17 months before her passing. During that time, Dori said she would do Reiki exercises and other movements while listening to music to help her mother. While Cynthia was bedridden, the activities helped strengthen the bond between them.
Dori cherishes those moments because even if Cynthia could not answer her, there were other signs of acknowledgement.
“Her eyes meant that (Cynthia) could still feel when someone was present. Even though she was in bed, she knew when I was there. I was there with my mother when she passed,” Dori recalled.
Since joining forces with The Alzheimer’s Association of Rhode Island, Dori has participated in the Westerly Walk to End Alzheimer’s. This will be her fourth walk, which takes place on Saturday, October 5th, at Misquamicut State Beach. Registration begins at 8:30 AM, followed by Opening Ceremonies at 9:30 AM and the Walk at 10:00 AM.
It’s a three mile walk that begins on Atlantic Avenue and proceeds through the neighborhood. Siano hopes to have a team of 10-12 walkers who are out fundraising and advocating for the cause.
Dori’s team name is “Feathers from Heaven,” and is the Team Captain. It is a nod to Cynthia, who she said was an avid bird lover.
“My mom loved all types of birds,” she said. “I had just arrived at the walk, which was a week after my Mom passed, when I got out of my car, there was a bird feather outside the door. I took it as a sign that she was watching over me.”
As an advocate for the Alzheimer’s Association, Dori holds fundraisers throughout the year including an event at McQuade’s Marketplace. The table has information about the Rhode Island Chapter and services offered to families as well as a donation can to help raise funds for Dori’s team. McQuade’s Marketplace is located at 106 Main Street in Westerly. Dori works as a Certified Pharmacy Technician at McQuade’s Pharmacy and has been there for 17 years.
Dori seeks more participants for her event. She seeks more walkers, sponsors and donations. She has already raised $1,000 with a goal of raising $2,000.
The Westerly Walk has several hundred participants involved. They are there to not only support those who are battling this ailment but are also generating awareness.
More details regarding this event and how you can help Dori, please call her at 401-369-3400.
For those who are looking to help, but cannot make it to Westerly, there is another Walk to End Alzheimer’s happening in Providence on Saturday, October 19th at Roger Williams Park, Temple to Music, FC Green Memorial Blvd. The event starts with registration at 8:30 AM, Opening Ceremonies at 9:45 AM, and the Walk at 10:15 AM.
Alzheimer’s Association Director of Communications Kristen Cusato said there are several Walks that occur throughout September and October. The Providence event is the largest one that draws people statewide. She encourages anyone who wants to join them either in Westerly or Providence to register at alz.org/ri/walk.
“There are 22,000 people living with Alzheimer’s in Rhode Island and so many more caregivers, many unpaid family members. We do not want them to go through this alone,” Kristen said. “We can help. We offer education classes, support groups, a 24/7 Helpline 1-800-272-3900 and we offer hope. The community can make a difference by turning out to support this very important cause.”
All funds raised through Walk to End Alzheimer’s further the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association. The Alzheimer’s Association is a nonprofit 501©3 organization.
Each registered participant will receive a Promise Garden flower. The colors represent various connections to the disease.
Blue represents someone living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia.
Purple is for those who have lost someone to the disease. Dori carries one in memory of her mother, Cynthia.
Yellow represents someone who is currently supporting or caring for a person living with Alzheimer’s.
Orange is for those who support the cause and the Association’s vision of a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.
Walk is a rain or shine event. However, in the case of severe weather, they will cancel. If this is the case, they will update its Walk homepage on or before the morning of the event.
More details about the Providence event and other information about the Alzheimer’s Association of Rhode Island may be found by visiting their website at www.alz.org/ri.
