Hometown Hero Mark Thompson: Walking to Change Lives

By: Kate Makowski

Mark Thompson first experienced Alzheimer’s twenty years ago when his Grandmother was diagnosed with the disease that impacts over 100,000 Minnesotans.  In 2010, his family became reacquainted

when his mother developed younger-onset Alzheimer’s.

As anyone who has lived with (or cared for someone) with the disease knows, Alzheimer’s changes you in many ways.  For Mark Thompson, Alzheimer’s made him an advocate. It brought him to the Twin Cities Walk to End Alzheimer’s, where he has volunteered for the past five years and chaired the event for the past two.

“We show our solidarity by walking through Minneapolis, and really being able to get the message out there [because of] all the exposure that we get from everybody seeing us walk through downtown,” said Mark.

The Twin Cities Walk to End Alzheimer’s is an annual event that begins and ends at Target Field in Minneapolis. The Walk raises fund that go toward Alzheimer’s care, support, research, awareness, and advocacy. It also serves as an opportunity to find strength and community in raising awareness about the disease.

Join a team of AARP Minnesota staff and volunteers to walk the 2016

Twin Cities Walk to End Alzheimer's Saturday, Sept. 17th at 9:00 am

Just days after last year’s Walk, Mark’s mother passed away. “This year’s been a little bit different because now it’s in remembrance of her, versus trying to do something to help her. Now we’re trying to do something to help other families and other people that are going through this like we did,” Mark explained.

Mark and his family go above and beyond with fundraising for the Alzheimer’s Association Minnesota-North Dakota Chapter. Their volunteerism has made an important impact on the Walk’s efforts. Mark says the organization has seen a 20% or more increase in donations every year since he has helped plan the Walk.

The Twin Cities Walk is a Thompson family affair.  This will be the fourth year Mark’s sister Leah puts on her annual “east side backyard bash,” a fundraising party including food, a raffle, and live entertainment. Their brother, Adam, is hosting his own “ west side backyard bash” for the first time this fall, in an effort to expand fundraising efforts and continue the good work their family is doing. Together the Thompson family has raised $150,000 for the cause.

For Mark, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s gives families an opportunity to share their story and bring comfort to others, by reminding them that they are not alone. “I think what I’ve appreciated the most is that [the event] has really embraced our family.”

Mark’s message is clear: Though the battle with Alzheimer’s is a tough one, the Walk provides a safe place to find solace and compassion amidst the hard times. According to Mark, it’s a break from all of the sad, frustrating, or seemingly hopeless days during the year; it is a time to feel good about the funds that have been raised, and the progress that has been made in the fight against Alzheimer’s. “I just want to make sure everybody who wants to walk knows that there is a Walk.” To join the Thompson family and the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, visit alz.org/walk.

Kate Makowski is a communications intern for AARP Minnesota.  She is a senior at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities where she studies Public Relations and Advertising.