Two gene copies, 15 times the risk: Nurse walks Fayetteville course

Amy Hamby carries a genetic risk factor that multiplies the odds of developing late-onset Alzheimer's by up to 15 times. The Erwin nurse has two copies of the APOE-4 gene, a combination that complicates her medical future as she prepares to walk in Fayetteville this Saturday.

The national statistics surrounding the disease are stark. More than seven million Americans live with Alzheimer's, a figure that equates to roughly one in nine people aged 65 and older. A new diagnosis is made every 65 seconds. Hamby is one of the hundreds of people expected to gather for the annual Walk to End Alzheimer's at Segra Stadium, which starts at 9 a.m.

Hamby’s journey to the starting line began in 2008 when her father, whom the family called "Poppy," died. At the time, the family did not grasp the hereditary nature of his illness. "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," Hamby said. She will wear a Team Poppy shirt during the event to honor him.

Her own diagnosis came in 2024 at age 59. Initially, she attributed her symptoms to "COVID brain fog," a common explanation during that period. It took a few more years before she recognized something was wrong. Testing confirmed the early-stage Alzheimer's and the presence of two high-risk gene copies. While one copy raises risk by two to three times, her specific profile pushes that number much higher.

Hamby is currently waiting for approved therapies. She acknowledges these treatments carry considerable risk for patients with two copies of the gene, but she believes the potential benefit justifies the danger. "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 stated.

Daily life requires adjustments. Hamby sometimes asks her children to repeat questions. She continues to cook, a lifelong passion, and uses a family recipe cookbook to trigger fond memories. She shares meals with her family and has traveled to Raleigh to advocate for legislation supporting Alzheimer's research and care.

Registration for the Saturday event remains open. The walk serves as a gathering for families impacted by a condition that Hamby describes as a story of perseverance.