Erwin nurse walks Fayetteville course with 15-fold disease risk

Approximately 600 attendees are expected at Segra Stadium in Fayetteville this Saturday for the annual Walk to End Alzheimer's. The event coincides with Amy Hamby's personal journey to raise awareness for the disease while honoring the memory of her father, whom her family called "Poppy."

Hamby, a 59-year-old nurse from Erwin, received a diagnosis of early-stage Alzheimer's in 2024. Genetic testing revealed she carries two copies of the APOE-4 gene. Medical data cited in the event's materials indicates that possessing one copy of this gene increases a person's risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer's by two to three times. Carrying two copies raises that risk by as much as 10 to 15 times.

The disease currently affects more than seven million Americans, representing roughly one in nine individuals age 65 and older. A new diagnosis is issued in the United States every 65 seconds. Hamby said she did not understand the genetic link to her father's illness when he died in 2008. "I had no clue, even as a nurse, which sounds pretty dumb, but I had no clue that he carried the gene and that I would end up carrying the gene as well," she said.

Before her official diagnosis, Hamby attributed her cognitive symptoms to post-viral fatigue, a common explanation during the pandemic. She later realized something was wrong and sought testing. She is now awaiting approved treatments. Hamby noted that these therapies carry higher risks for patients with two copies of the APOE-4 gene, but she believes the potential benefits justify the procedure. "I am waiting for treatment, so if I can get those approved treatments are pretty risky for me because I have two copies of the gene, but it's worth it," she said.

Hamby continues to engage in daily activities, including cooking and reviewing family recipes. She also advocates for the disease in Raleigh, where she helped pass legislation supporting Alzheimer's research and care. "I've got hopefully a lot of years with my children and I want to live life to the fullest," she said.

The walk starts at 9 a.m. Saturday. Registration is open to the public. Hamby will wear a Team Poppy shirt to honor her father.