Walk to End Alzheimer's this Saturday in Pinellas

The Alzheimer’s Association ® is inviting Pinellas County residents to join the fight to end Alzheimer’s by participating in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The Walk will take place Saturday, October 12 at Poynter Park in Saint Petersburg.

On Walk day, participants will honor those affected by Alzheimer's disease with Promise Flowers during the poignant Promise Garden Ceremony – a moving display of hope to represent the personal reasons participants come together to fight Alzheimer’s.

“I joined the Walk to End Alzheimer’s last year as it was also the one year anniversary of my mother’s passing. We lost her at the young age of 74 due to this horrific disease,” says Amy Elkins, who is participating in this year’s Walk as a member of Team Silly Sisters. “While she was alive, I did not have the bandwidth to do anything but advocate for her care. During this time, it was frustrating that there was no cure for Alzheimer’s and having to watch my mom suffer ate away at our hearts. To honor her memory and to help others who are still fighting, I walk- and I hope my son can carry the white flower next year, to show we’ve found a cure."

Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, 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.

“We encourage locals to participate in Walk, as the fundraising dollars fuel the Association’s mission and having participation in the event helps to change the level of Alzheimer’s awareness in the Pinellas County community,” says Michelle Olson, Pinellas County Walk Manager for the Alzheimer’s Association. “While there is no fee to register, the Alzheimer’s Association encourage participants to fundraise in order to contribute to the cause and raise awareness. This inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to join the fight against the disease!”

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 with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In Florida alone, there are more than 560,000 people living with the disease.

Participants can join a team or register to walk as an individual at alz.org/walk.