The Alzheimer’s Association invites Brainerd lakes area residents to join the fight to end Alzheimer’s by participating in its Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
The walk is scheduled Sept. 25 at Forestview Middle School in Baxter. Participants can attend in person following provided COVID-19 safety protocols, in their neighborhood or via the official mobile app. Check-in is at 1 p.m. and the opening ceremony is at 2 p.m. with the walk to follow. Participants are encouraged to register early and fundraise to help the Alzheimer’s Association reach its $125,000 goal. Registration is free.
“Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s and other dementias,” Brenda Conley, walk manager, said in a news release. “In Minnesota, there are more than 99,000 people living with the disease, and 170,000 caregivers. The funds raised during the walk will help provide our local community with free care and support services.”
On walk day, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer’s with the Promise Garden ceremony — a mission-focused experience that signifies solidarity in the fight against the disease. The colors of the Promise Garden flowers represent people’s connection to Alzheimer’s — their personal reasons to end the disease.
More than six 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.
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Joining Conley is Walk Committee Chair Arlene Jones and an 11-person committee: Andrew Shipe, Natalie Schiferl, Anne Yezek, Ken Thomas, Tess Taylor, Kristine Hoheisel, Kieran Moore, Sandy Hudak, Amy Misener, Katelin Hohertz and Paula Gulliford.
The health and safety of participants is a top priority. COVID-19 protocols implemented follow local, state and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, including contactless registration, physical distancing, masks (where required), hand-sanitizing stations and more.
Supporters are welcome to walk from home by engaging in many walk-day experiences through the Alzheimer’s Association website and mobile app. Experiences include a pre-recorded Opening and Promise Garden Ceremony, an augmented reality Promise Garden that allows participants to select a flower and plant it among others, as well as a route map to track an at-home walk.
Register, learn more and receive the latest updates on this year’s walk at act.alz.org/brainerd .
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 has mobilized millions of Americans in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk, now the Alzheimer’s Association is continuing to lead the way with the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
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.
