Nurse with two APOE-4 copies walks for father's memory

Amy Hamby carries a double genetic risk for a disease that already took her father. Now living with early-stage Alzheimer's, she walks in Fayetteville on Saturday to honor the man her family called Poppy.

Her father died in 2008. At the time, the family did not understand the genetic link. Hamby, a nurse, said she had no clue he carried the gene or that she would inherit it. In 2024, at age 59, doctors diagnosed her with early-stage Alzheimer's. She initially attributed her symptoms to post-viral fatigue, a common explanation during the pandemic years. A few years later, she realized something was wrong.

Genetic testing revealed two copies of the APOE-4 gene. One copy raises late-onset Alzheimer's risk by two to three times. Two copies can increase that risk by 10 to 15 times. Hamby is currently waiting for approved treatments. She notes these therapies carry higher risks for patients with two gene copies but believes the benefit outweighs the danger.

Daily life requires patience. Hamby sometimes asks her children to repeat questions. She continues cooking, a lifelong passion, and browses a cookbook of family recipes that trigger fond memories. She values sharing meals with her family. Since her diagnosis, she has traveled to Raleigh to advocate for legislation supporting Alzheimer's research and care.

The Walk to End Alzheimer's draws hundreds to Segra Stadium on Saturday morning. The event starts at 9 a.m. The disease affects more than seven million Americans, roughly one in nine people age 65 and older. A new diagnosis occurs every 65 seconds. Hamby will wear a Team Poppy shirt. Registration is open for participants and supporters.

"I've got hopefully a lot of years with my children and I want to live life to the fullest," Hamby said.