Eastern Iowa man receives award for 20 years of service with the Alzheimer’s Association

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Every walk has a destination. Each year, The Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Walk to End Alzheimer’s ends right back where it started. But for volunteer Dave Storey, that’s not the destination.

“Almost everyone you talk to either has had a direct involvement with Alzheimer’s or knows somebody that’s dealing with it,” Storey told TV9.

For Dave, those events are about the mission.

His own mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in the early 2000s. That’s what inspired him to start his own journey with the Alzheimer’s Association – helping other families cope and pushing for a cure.

“I’ve been to Washington DC multiple times to lobby to legislators for more money through the NIH. I’ve been to our state house to talk to legislators at the state house,” said Storey.

The group says all those steps Dave has taken along the way have made a difference in countless lives. It’s why they are honoring him with the Gary Wicklund Lifetime of Service Award.

“Dave’s been around for 20 plus years as a volunteer and so he is a great connector, he’s great to learn from in terms of what the Alzheimer’s Association has meant to the Iowa chapter as a whole,” said Tad Hulst with the Alzheimer’s Association.

Dave knows an end Alzheimer’s is a long trek, so he’s not close to done walking it. And he’s hoping to help others he meets along the way.

“That’s the biggest thing, is communicating and elevating the awareness that we are here to help you and we can help you through your challenges,” said Storey.

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