Walk to End Alzheimer’s seeks to raise awareness, recognize Unity woman participating in medical trials

In 2018, Sara Belt was told she’d have just five years of cognition remaining after being diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s.

She’s beaten the odds by about six months.

After participating in four medical trials, Sara, 59, of Unity, has been able to maintain her cognition for the last three years — as documented through various mental tests.

On Saturday, she will participate in the Westmoreland County Walk to End Alzheimer’s, beginning at 10 a.m. at Pavilion No. 7 at Twin Lakes Park, east of Greensburg.

Registration will begin at 9 a.m. for the event seeking to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Sara’s husband and caregiver, Don Belt, is set to speak at the event, updating attendees on Sara’s medical trials.

Don, 76, said Sara spoke at the walk the first year they attended.

“There was not a dry eye in the whole crowd,” Don said. “It wasn’t perfect, and I had her speech written out — now, she can’t do that.”

Don said that in in informal circumstances, Sara is still able to carry on a conversation.

He first knew there was a problem when Sara, who was a math and Spanish teacher, came to him one day and said she couldn’t remember math formulas anymore.

Thinking about the weekend after Sara was diagnosed brings tears to his eyes, Don said, because they were “very scared” and cried together. Her doctor wasn’t able to give the couple any hope or point them in the direction of any reliable medication.

“Just 5 million people at that time had it, and they would all pass away from it,” Don said. “And we only had in our minds five years with each other — that motivated us.”

Currently, more than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, and Sara is one of over 280,000 people living with the disease in Pennsylvania.

Don said they promised each other a few things: to put a daily routine together, participate in medical trials and be active in the Alzheimer’s Association.

And they have. Their team, AGSM, which is named after Don’s venture capital firm, has raised around $6,550 so far this year — all through Facebook.

“We do everything we can to help (the Alzheimer’s Association), and it’s benefitted us,” Don said.

Don was able to find the medical trials for Sara through the association.

Natalie Boyanovsky, the Westmoreland County Walk to End Alzheimer’s development manager, said more than 300 people walk every year at the event.

“Almost everybody these days knows somebody who’s been impacted by Alzheimer’s or dementia,” she said.

“Our goal this year, which I definitely think we’re going to meet or surpass, is $85,000,” Boyanovsky said.

Anyone can register to walk the morning of the event. Participants will have a choice to walk either 1 or 2 miles.

The Belts are also a part of the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement, lobbying for policies to help people overcome the disease, and Sara is an ambassador. During the walk on Saturday, they will try to recruit more AIM volunteers as people sign in, Don said.

Don said he took on the role of being Sara’s caregiver, monitoring her health and finding possible medicals trials for her.

“I do everything that a person could do to help Sara,” Don said.

Of the four trials, Don said the most recent one has helped Sara the most, as medication has improved over the years. During a trial, patients test new treatments to see their effects prior to U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval.

“You don’t know anyone in the world who’s been through four trials,” Don said. “No one else is maintaining their cognition at the mid-level — she’s unique.”

He said others taking the drug are experiencing the same, and he believes it will probably receive FDA approval soon to become available nationwide.

The trial is from Athira Pharma, and it destroys amyloid plaque, promotes brain cells and helps the brain adapt.

During the walk, Don said the couple will plant blue flowers in the Promise Garden ceremony in honor of Sara as a living Alzheimer’s patient.

The various colors of flowers will represent people’s connection to Alzheimer’s.

Boyanovsky said during the ceremony, people will share their stories, and anyone who relates to the stories can hold up their specific flower to support each other.

“That’s the most special part of the event,” she said.

Don said as long as Sara can stay on the current trial medicine, they believe she will continue to buy time.

“She’s going to be the first survivor — that’s our hope,” Don said.