Amy Hamby Walks in Fayetteville to Honor Late Father and Navigate Early-Stage Diagnosis

For hundreds of residents gathering in Fayetteville this Saturday, the upcoming walk serves as a tangible way to support a community grappling with a growing health crisis. The event, scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. at Segra Stadium, brings together families and supporters to raise awareness for Alzheimer's disease. While the gathering is a local affair, it reflects a broader national reality where the condition impacts a significant portion of the aging population. Registration remains open for those wishing to participate or show their support for the cause.

The scale of the issue is substantial in the United States, where more than seven million people are currently affected by the disease. This figure represents roughly one in nine individuals aged 65 and older. The pace of new diagnoses is rapid, with a new case recorded every 65 seconds. Each statistic represents a specific person and their family, navigating a complex journey of perseverance and care.

Among the participants is Amy Hamby of Erwin, whose involvement carries a deeply personal weight. Hamby is walking in memory of her father, affectionately known to the family as Poppy, who passed away in 2008. She will wear a Team Poppy shirt during the event to honor his memory. Her participation is not merely a tribute to the past, however, as she is now living with the same condition herself.

Hamby, a nurse by profession, was diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's in 2024 at the age of 59. She recalls that she initially attributed her symptoms to what was widely discussed at the time as post-viral brain fog. It was only a couple of years later that she felt something was genuinely wrong. She expressed surprise at her lack of prior knowledge about the genetic nature of the disease, noting that even as a medical professional, she had no idea her father carried the specific gene that she would also inherit.

Genetic testing revealed that Hamby carries two copies of the APOE-4 gene, a known risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's. Medical data suggests that having one copy of this gene increases risk by two to three times, while possessing two copies can elevate that risk to ten or even 15 times the baseline. This genetic profile has significant implications for her current medical strategy and future care.

The presence of these two gene copies makes approved therapies considerably riskier for Hamby, yet she remains willing to pursue them. She is currently waiting for treatment, believing the potential benefits outweigh the heightened risks associated with her genetic makeup. Her stance highlights the difficult calculations patients must make when balancing potential efficacy against personal medical vulnerabilities.

Despite the challenges, Hamby maintains a focus on quality of life and advocacy. She continues to enjoy cooking, a lifelong passion, and finds comfort in flipping through a cookbook of family recipes. She also works to share meals with her family, even if daily interactions sometimes require her children to repeat questions. Her efforts extend beyond her household, as she has traveled to Raleigh to advocate for legislation supporting Alzheimer's research and care.

Hamby’s outlook remains focused on the future and her relationships with her children. She expresses a hope to have many more years with them and intends to live life to the fullest. Her story, shared through her participation in the Fayetteville walk, underscores the intersection of personal resilience and the ongoing need for broader support in the fight against Alzheimer's.