Publisher's Note:
Wow!
The 2026 Fayetteville Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Segra Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, was a fun, joyful, and resounding success. Over a thousand people gathered in colorful and creative T-shirts to honor loved ones, support those affected by this heartbreaking disease, and advocate for a cure for Alzheimer’s.
Up & Coming Weekly newspaper has proudly supported the Walk for well over a decade. Thanks to the dedication of many local businesses and community members, this advocacy continues to grow and thrive. With an annual fundraising goal of $200,000, this year’s campaign and Walk have already raised $167,000 toward that objective. Dozens of hardworking volunteers rallied to make this event a triumph, led by the inspiring Victoria Huggins—Fayetteville’s adopted native daughter and Senior Manager, Walk to End Alzheimer's at Alzheimer's Association (Eastern NC & Western NC Chapters).
Her tireless work ethic, boundless enthusiasm, and deep faith make her a true blessing to our community. Paired with volunteer extraordinaire and businessman Bill McMillan—Director of Fayetteville’s Restore Warehouse and Alzheimer’s District Seven Ambassador—this dynamic duo creates a tour de force whose leadership practically guarantees success. We extend heartfelt congratulations to everyone involved for their incredible efforts in making this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s such a meaningful and successful event. But the fight is far from over. Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is critical. It offers invaluable benefits.
This is the message behind the Letter to the Editor below: to raise awareness and support for the AADAPT Act (Advanced Dementia and Alzheimer’s Provider Training). This legislation is a vital step toward equipping healthcare providers with the tools they need to diagnose and treat Alzheimer’s effectively.
Get involved. Answer the call to action. We have nothing to lose—and everything to gain.
Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly community newspaper.
—Bill Bowman, Publisher

Dear Editor,
Time is critical in the Alzheimer’s world. Early detection of this disease improves proper diagnosis and, therefore, care and planning. This is why support in Congress for the Advanced Dementia and Alzheimer’s Provider Training (AADAPT Act) is so vitally important. Early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease offers critical benefits, including access to treatment, participation in clinical trials, better planning for the future, and emotional relief for patients and families.
1. Early diagnosis allows individuals to begin treatment sooner, which may help slow cognitive decline and manage symptoms like memory loss and confusion.
2. Eligibility for clinical trials gives those diagnosed early access to cutting-edge therapies that could benefit future patients.
3. Early detection gives patients and families more time to make legal, financial, and care arrangements.
4. It also allows for discussions about safety concerns like driving and wandering, helping prevent crises later.
5. Families that recognize symptoms early can seek relief sooner and reduce anxiety, helping them better understand and support their loved ones.
Primary care physicians receive extensive training, yet very little time is dedicated to detecting and diagnosing Alzheimer’s and dementia. As a result, many are hesitant to render a diagnosis, losing precious time that could improve patient care.
The AADAPT Act will provide essential training for primary care physicians in early diagnosis, leading to more effective care plans, reduced crisis care, and better outcomes for families. Doctors need the knowledge and confidence to make proper diagnoses. Currently, 33 members of Congress have agreed to co-sponsor the AADAPT Act.
We need bipartisan support for this critical bill. Care for Alzheimer’s and related dementias could cost upwards of $1 trillion by 2050. Representative Rouzer, thank you for your leadership in representing North Carolina’s Seventh District. We respectfully ask that you encourage support for the AADAPT Act within your congressional delegation.
Together, we can work toward a world without Alzheimer’s.
Respectfully,
Bill McMillan
Alzheimer’s 7th District
Ambassador
910-978-2455
director@therestorewarehouse.org

Whitney Dawson
Alzheimer's Association Advocacy Manager – North Carolina
980-498-7736 ext. 2176
whdawson@alz.org
alz.org/northcarolina
For help regarding a loved one with Alzheimer's, call the 24-Hour Helpline at 800-272-3900.

(Photo: Participants in the Walk to End Alzheimer's depart Segra Stadium. Photo courtesy of the Alzheimer's Association, North Carolina)