Nurse Walks After Receiving Alzheimer's Diagnosis

Amy Hamby will join hundreds of participants at the Walk to End Alzheimer's on Saturday, marking her return to the event as a person living with the disease. The nurse from Erwin will walk at Segra Stadium beginning at 9 a.m., wearing a shirt labeled Team Poppy in honor of her late father.

Hamby received a diagnosis of early-stage Alzheimer's in 2024 at the age of 59. Genetic testing revealed she carries two copies of the APOE-4 gene. Medical data indicates that one copy of this gene increases a person's risk by two to three times, while two copies can raise the risk by 10 to 15 times.

Her father, whom the family called Poppy, died in 2008. Hamby stated that the family did not recognize the genetic component of his illness at the time. She admitted that even with her nursing background, she was unaware that he carried the gene and that she would inherit it as well.

The disease presents specific challenges for her treatment options. Hamby is currently waiting for approved therapies, which carry higher risks for individuals with two copies of the APOE-4 gene. She believes the potential benefits make the treatment worthwhile despite those risks.

Before her official diagnosis, Hamby attributed her symptoms to post-viral fatigue, a common explanation during that period. She later recognized that her cognitive changes were not consistent with that condition. Since then, she has continued to enjoy cooking and sharing family recipes, though she occasionally asks her children to repeat questions.

Hamby has also traveled to Raleigh to support legislation for Alzheimer's research and care. She expressed a desire to live life to the fullest for as long as possible with her children. The event aims to raise awareness for a condition that affects more than seven million Americans, or roughly one in nine people aged 65 and older.

A new diagnosis is made in the United States every 65 seconds. Registration for the Saturday walk remains open for those who wish to participate or show support for the cause.