Walk To End Alzheimer's Stevens Point

Description

ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION INVITES STEVENS POINT RESIDENTS TO JOIN 2020 WALK TO END ALZHEIMER’S ON SEPTEMBER 19
Participants Will Continue to Walk as Individuals, Families or Small Teams
on Sidewalks, Tracks and Trails across Stevens Point in Wake of COVID-19 
 
(STEVENS POINT, WI, AUGUST 13, 2020) – The Alzheimer’s Association is inviting Stevens Point residents to join the fight to end Alzheimer’s by participating in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s^® on September 19, 2020.
 
The Walk to End Alzheimer’s continues, but instead of hosting a large gathering, the Alzheimer’s Association is encouraging participants to walk as individuals or in small groups on sidewalks, tracks and trails across Stevens Point. The Walk is chaired by Carley Prochaska Lee, Dementia Care Specialist, Portage County ADRC (photo attached).
 
“This year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be everywhere,” said Wendy Vizek, vice president, constituent events at the Alzheimer’s Association. “The pandemic is changing how we walk, but it doesn’t change the need to walk. This year, more than ever, we need to come together to support all those affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementia. With the dollars raised, the Alzheimer’s Association can continue to provide care and support to families during these difficult times while also advancing critical research toward methods of treatment and prevention.”
 
Time-honored components of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s are being replicated. On Walk day, an Opening Ceremony beginning at 9:30 a.m., will feature local speakers and a presentation of Promise Flowers to honor the personal reasons participants join together to fight Alzheimer’s and all other dementia, all delivered to participants' smartphones, tablets and computers. A small group of Alzheimer’s Association staff and volunteers will create the iconic Promise Garden in a “view only” format at the Stevens Point Fire Department, 1701 Franklin Street, to honor all those impacted by Alzheimer’s. The garden will be on display Thursday Sept. 17th through 8:00 pm. on Walk Day Sept. 19th. 
 
To enhance the participant experience leading up to the event and on Walk day, new features are being added to the Walk to End Alzheimer’s mobile app to create an opportunity for the community to connect. Participants can use the app and new “Walk Mainstage'' to track their steps and distance, follow a virtual Walk path, manage their Facebook fundraisers, and access information and resources from the Association and Walk sponsors to help individuals and families affected by the disease. A new audio track is available to encourage participants along the way and to congratulate them upon completion of their Walk.
 
“Alzheimer’s is not taking a hiatus during COVID-19 and neither are we,” said David Grams, Executive Director, Alzheimer’s Association Wisconsin Chapter. “We must continue Walk to End Alzheimer’s, and we are working with all participants to ensure they have a powerful and moving experience that is felt when we are together. Many of our constituents are at higher risk when it comes to COVID-19 and we know that our volunteers and participants appreciate our commitment to keeping all involved healthy and safe.”
 
More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease – the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 16 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In Wisconsin alone, there are more than 120,000 people living with the disease and 195,000 caregivers. 
 
 
HOW TO REGISTER
Participants can register, support another walker and get information online at www.alz.org/walk. For questions or assistance, please call 800-272-3900.
 
SPONSORS
The Alzheimer’s Association Wisconsin Chapter thanks the numerous volunteers and sponsors of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, including National Presenting Sponsors - Edward Jones and CVS Health, and major local sponsors including Delta Dental and Simplicity Credit Union.
 
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.