Ohio Man Walking Cross-Country, Virginia for Alzheimer's Research

While the last group of people to walk Route 1 through Woodbridge were heading for the a few weeks ago, 20-year-old William Bohnak is walking for a different cause: Alzheimer's research. 

Bohank started his walk in his hometown of and according to his mother Marti, "he has 13 states and the District of Columbia under his feet."

Bohank is walking across the country in memory of his grandmother, who died of Alzheimer's when he was 15, and hopes to raise funds for Alzheimer's-related organizations during his "A Journey for Memories" walk. 

"One of my lifetime goals is to travel around the world and help spread the word about Alzheimer's. I figured I could fulfill two goals of my life. The money raised would go towards organizations to help research for a cure for Alzheimer's, but I would be willing to donate to other causes," wrote Bohank on his website. 

Bohank is a recent graduate of Fortis College in Ohio, but is embarking on this walk before starting a career. 

His trek across country has included stops in Pennsylvania, New York City, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and now Virginia. 

In an email, Marti said that her son was leaving Fairfax, VA Thursday morning and would be walking along Route 1 in Woodbridge by this evening. Her son plans to be in Fredericksburg on Friday. 

Donors, both individuals and businesses, are invited to support finding a cure for Alzheimer's through Bohnak's website, ajourneyforthememories.com. Finally, he's in need of Woodbridge residents with shelter of any sort who can house him. 

Want to help? You can contact through his website or call him directly at 330-730-6113. 

To read other Patch articles about Bohank:

Editor's Note: The article previously stated the incorrect relation to William Bohank. It has since been corrected.