Christy and Don Talbott, second and third from left, received the Alzheimer's Advocate Award during a ceremony in Richmond on Nov. 7 from Alzheimer's Association CEO Sherry E. Peterson, fourth from left. Also receiving awards were State Sen. Stephen H. Martin (R-Chesterfield), left, and VCU associate professor Dr. Patricia Slattum.

The Alzheimer’s Association presented the Talbotts with the Alzheimer’s Advocate Award for their work, which has been instrumental in the success and growth of the Gloucester Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Don has served as honorary chair of the walk for the past two years, while Christy has volunteered for the event since 2005.

In addition, Don serves as a support group leader for a group of individuals with dementia and assists in the Memories in the Making art program at an adult day center in Gloucester, while both Don and Christy serve on the Advisory Council for the Middle Peninsula/Northern Neck office of the Greater Richmond Chapter.

The reception was held in observance of National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month.

There are currently more than 5.4 million people in the U.S. living with Alzheimer’s disease, according to a press release, and that figure is expected to grow to as many as 16 million by 2050. In Virginia, there are approximately 130,000 people with the disease.

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