Amy Hamby Walks 10 to 15 Times Higher Risk at Fayetteville Event

Amy Hamby of Erwin is heading to Fayetteville this Saturday to participate in the annual Walk to End Alzheimer's. The event draws hundreds of attendees who unite to support the more than seven million Americans living with the disease. Hamby walks with a dual purpose. She honors the memory of her father, whom her family affectionately called Poppy, while also representing the growing number of individuals living with the condition.

The urgency of the cause is clear in the data. Roughly one in nine Americans aged 65 and older is affected. A new diagnosis is issued every 65 seconds in the country. Each statistic represents a unique family story and a journey of perseverance. Hamby’s personal history with the disease dates back to 2008, when her father passed away. At the time, the family did not fully grasp the genetic components of the illness.

Hamby, a nurse by trade, admits she was unaware of the hereditary link. She noted that she had no clue her father carried the gene and that she would eventually inherit it as well. Her own diagnosis came in 2024 at age 59. Before that, she attributed her symptoms to the widely discussed concept of COVID brain fog. It was only a couple of years later that she began to suspect something was more serious.

Medical testing revealed that Hamby carries two copies of the APOE-4 gene. This genetic factor significantly elevates the risk for late-onset Alzheimer's. While one copy raises the risk by two to three times, two copies can increase that risk by as much as 10 to 15 times. This genetic profile makes her situation particularly complex as she navigates her health.

Hamby is currently waiting for approved treatments. She acknowledges that these therapies carry considerable risk for her given her two gene copies, but she believes the potential benefits are worth the danger. Her daily life requires adjustments, such as asking her children to repeat questions. However, she continues to pursue her lifelong passion for cooking. She recently flipped through a cookbook of family recipes that bring back fond memories and enjoys sharing meals with her loved ones.

Since her diagnosis, she has expanded her role to advocacy. Hamby has traveled to Raleigh to work on legislation that supports Alzheimer's research and care. She remains focused on spending many more years with her children and living life to the fullest. The walk is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Saturday at Segra Stadium. Registration is still open for those who wish to participate or show support.

The event serves as a gathering point for families and advocates across the region. By coming together, participants highlight the human side of a statistical crisis. Hamby’s presence at the walk underscores the importance of awareness and the ongoing fight for better treatments and support systems for those affected by this challenging disease.