Two Gene Copies Define Amy Hamby's Race to Beat Alzheimer's

Approximately one in nine Americans over the age of 65 lives with Alzheimer's disease, a statistic that underscores the scale of the annual Walk to End Alzheimer's event scheduled for Saturday in Fayetteville. Organizers expect hundreds to gather for the cause, which affects more than seven million people in the United States. The urgency of the condition is reflected in the rate of new diagnoses, with a person in the country receiving the diagnosis every 65 seconds.

Amy Hamby, a resident of Erwin, represents a unique perspective on the disease. She is participating in the walk both as a daughter who lost her father to the illness and as a patient living with early-stage Alzheimer's. Hamby will wear a shirt for Team Poppy, a tribute to her father, whom her family affectionately called Poppy. He passed away in 2008, a time when Hamby, despite her background as a nurse, did not fully grasp the genetic implications of the disease. She admitted that she had no idea he carried the gene for the condition, nor did she realize she would inherit it as well.

Hamby received her diagnosis in 2024 at the age of 59. For several years prior, she attributed her symptoms to post-viral fatigue, a common explanation discussed during the pandemic. It was not until a few years later that she began to suspect something more serious was wrong. Subsequent testing revealed that she carries two copies of the APOE-4 gene. This genetic profile is a significant risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's. While one copy can increase a person's risk by two to three times, having two copies can elevate that risk by as much as 10 to 15 times.

The presence of these two gene copies complicates her medical treatment. Hamby is currently waiting for approved therapies, which she acknowledges carry considerable risk for someone with her specific genetic makeup. However, she believes the potential benefits justify the risks. She noted that while the treatments are risky for her, she is committed to pursuing them to manage the progression of the disease.

Living with the condition presents daily challenges. Hamby sometimes finds herself asking her children to repeat questions. Despite these hurdles, she remains engaged in life. Cooking remains a lifelong passion, and she recently flipped through a cookbook of family recipes that triggered fond memories. She enjoys sharing meals with her family, a ritual that continues to bring her joy.

Beyond her personal health journey, Hamby has become an advocate for the disease. Since her diagnosis, she has traveled to Raleigh to work on legislation supporting Alzheimer's research and care. Her goal is to maximize the time she has with her children. She expressed her desire to live life to the fullest, hoping to have many more years with her family.

The community can support the cause by joining the walk, which begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday at Segra Stadium. Registration is still open for anyone wishing to participate or show their support for those affected by the disease.