Walk to End Alzheimer's Scheduled in Enfield

ENFIELD, CT — The Alzheimer’s Association is inviting residents of Enfield and the surrounding area to unite in a movement to reclaim the future for millions by participating in the Enfield Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s®.

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s will take place Sunday, Sept. 17 at the Enfield Senior Center, 299 Elm Street, Enfield. Registration for the walk begins at 8 a.m.

The Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's participants will complete a 2-mile walk and will learn about Alzheimer's disease, advocacy opportunities, clinical studies enrollment and support programs and services from the Alzheimer’s Association. Walk participants will also join in a meaningful tribute ceremony to honor those affected by Alzheimer's disease beginning at 9 a.m.

Alzheimer’s Association Women Champions Kate Bartelmo and Karla Vince once again lead the walk committee in Enfield. Karla has been volunteering for the Association for 30 years, while Kate became involved with the Alzheimer's Association in 2003, when she participated in The Memory Walk at Bushnell Park and has been the chair of The Enfield Walk to End Alzheimer's for several years.

“I chose to participate in honor & in memory of all of my residents past, current and future. The disease is not only close to my heart because of the residents and families I work with on a daily basis, but also because I lost my grandmother to vascular dementia in the fall of 2015,” Bartelmo said.

“We are hoping to have more teams that can register at alz.org/walk,” said Walk Manager Bob Mayer. “We have had tremendous support from the community and are accepting contributions and sponsorships to this event, which will support our vision of a World without Alzheimer’s.”

In addition to the 2-mile walk, participants will enjoy family fun activities, the promise garden, music and raffle prizes. This year's walk will once again be emceed by local radio personality and friend of the Alzheimer’s Association, Jerry Kristafer.

More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease, the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S. and the only disease among the top 10 causes that cannot be cured, prevented or even slowed. Additionally, more than 15 million family members and friends provide care to people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias in the U.S. In Connecticut alone, there are more than 75,000 people living with the disease and 177,000 caregivers.

Register today. Sign up as a Team Captain, join a team or register to walk as an individual at alz.org/walk.

Story and photo courtesy of the Alzheimer's Association