The Alzheimer’s Association is inviting Buffalo and Erie County residents to join the fight to end Alzheimer’s by participating in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday, Sept. 30, at Buffalo’s Outer Harbor. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. with the opening ceremony and Walk at 10 a.m.
For participants like Clarence’s Kathleen McGinley, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s is personal. “I walk for my husband, Tom, who passed from Alzheimer’s. We need to find a cure for this cruel disease that impacts all ages and races,” says McGinley, who is also a top fundraiser for the event. “The Walk gives me hope for the future, and I’m proud to participate as part of the Alzheimer’s Association community.”
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. In New York State alone, there are more than 410,000 people living with the disease and 546,000 caregivers. Erie County is tied for the eighth-highest rate of Alzheimer’s disease across the 62 counties in New York, at 11.7%. within. Recent studies estimate that more than 20,000 Erie County residents age 65 and older are currently living with Alzheimer’s.
“We’re closer than ever to stopping Alzheimer’s,” says Lynn Westcott, senior director of development at the WNY Chapter. “We hope that everyone in our community can join us by starting a team to help the Alzheimer’s Association raise awareness and funds for families facing the disease today, take more steps toward treatments and finally ending this disease.”
The funds raised through the Walk to End Alzheimer’s ensure the programs and services provided by the Alzheimer’s Association are free to all who need them, in addition to funding the research and advocacy efforts which have resulted in new treatments for people living in the early stage.
On Walk day, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer’s with the poignant 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 – whether as people living with the disease, caregivers or those who have lost loved ones to Alzheimer’s or dementia.
This year’s WNY Walk to End Alzheimer’s is presented by Uniland. To register and receive the latest updates on the Buffalo Walk, visit act.alz.org/buffalo. To learn more, contact Lynn Westcott at lw*******@*lz.org or 440-4251.
