The Alzheimer’s Association Washtenaw Walk to End Alzheimer’s is back in-person again this year, and the Alzheimer’s Association is inviting area residents to join the fight by participating on Oct. 10, 2021, at Pioneer High School.
The Washtenaw County Walk to End Alzheimer’s, which brings together individuals and teams from across a number of Michigan counties. Over the last 29 years, the Washtenaw County Walk has raised more than $2,746,017 for Alzheimer’s and dementia care, support and critical research.
While the event doesn’t take place until Oct. 10, organizing is in full swing and the Alzheimer’s Association needs help to have the largest impact.
“I joined the Washtenaw County Walk to End Alzheimer’s to honor my maternal grandmother, who was diagnosed with a mild form of dementia three years ago, and my mother, who acts as her caregiver,” said Megan Winkelseth. “The experience of caring for and loving someone living with dementia can be lonely and feel hopeless. Joining or supporting the Walk through volunteer/fundraising efforts can allow you to channel feelings of loss and isolation into meaningful actions and connect with others in the community who are similarly affected by the disease. From a brief conversation to an official fundraising event on social media, I can see how my engagement makes a difference and raises awareness for Alzheimer’s disease, and that has given me great hope.”
Current sponsors of the Washtenaw to End Alzheimer’s include Hillside Terrace, Thomson Reuters, CedarHurst Senior Living, Chelsea Retirement Community, Arbor Hospice, Vibrant Life Superior Township, StoryPoint Saline, and BrightStar Care.
While gathering in person on Oct. 10, the Alzheimer’s Association will continue to offer options to participate virtually as well.
“Alzheimer’s is not taking a hiatus during COVID-19 and neither are we,” said Alzheimer’s Association Michigan Chapter President and CEO Jennifer Lepard. “We must continue the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, and we are working to ensure that all our participants have a powerful and moving experience.”
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 Michigan alone, there are more than 190,000 people living with the disease and 463,000 caregivers.
To register and receive the latest updates on this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, visit alz.org/walk or contact Sue Prynn at smprynn@alz.org or 734.548.9085.
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.
