Gainesville Walk to End Alzheimer’s set for Oct. 16
Press release from Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s
The Alzheimer’s Association is inviting Gainesville residents to join the fight to end Alzheimer’s by participating in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday, Oct. 16.
While last year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s was mainly virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Alzheimer’s Association is moving forward with hosting this year’s event in person. Gainesville Walk Director Audra Peoples, however, noted that the health and safety of participants, staff, and volunteers remain the Association’s top priorities.
“All events will implement safety protocols, including physical distancing, masks where required, contactless registration, hand sanitizing stations, and more,” Peoples said. “We will also be offering options to participate online and in local neighborhoods and will continue to closely monitor CDC, state, and local guidelines to ensure events adhere to recommendations and are safe for attendees.”
Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise funds for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. On Walk day, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer’s with the poignant Promise Garden ceremony – a mission-focused experience that signifies their solidarity in the fight against the disease. The colors of the Promise Garden flowers represent participants’ connections to Alzheimer’s disease and their personal reasons for walking.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease – a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In Florida alone, there are more than 580,000 people living with the disease and 527,000 caregivers.
The Gainesville Walk to End Alzheimer’s will kick off with an Opening Ceremony at 9 a.m. on Oct. 16 at Trinity United Methodist Church. To register and receive the latest updates on this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, visit alz.org/walk.
Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s®
The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Since 1989, the Alzheimer’s Association mobilized millions of Americans in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk®; now the Alzheimer’s Association is continuing to lead the way with Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s Association®
The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Its mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia – by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.