Why I Walk To End Alzheimer’s – Ben Zeltner

The Alzheimer's Association is spotlighting people who are making a difference in the fight to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia, by participating in the upcoming 2021 Walk To End Alzheimer’s (WTEA) - the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

Today we say thank you to Ben Zeltner of Linwood, a participant in the South Jersey Shore Walk To End Alzheimer’s, taking place on Saturday, October 23 at the Ocean City Civic Center and Field, 6th Street and the Boardwalk, in Ocean City, NJ. He will be holding a purple flower representing those that have lost a loved one to the disease during the poignant Promise Garden ceremony — a mission-focused experience that signifies our solidarity in the fight against the disease.

Ben’s extraordinary passion and dedication to helping all those affected by the disease has inspired and motivated others to get involved. The funds raised by his effort, and others, helps propel the Association’s mission forward - accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.

Ben explains, “My father, Harold Zeltner, passed five years ago. While his life ended then, this terrible disease really took him down ten years before that. It was so hard to see a vibrant, smart and witty man stripped of these qualities. Alzheimer’s had robbed him of his mental and physical capabilities. There is nothing more I can do for my father, but I can encourage others to come together to raise funds and awareness to find a cure, and assist caregivers that need help in caring for loved ones. It is also important to follow the science and stay active physically and mentally. It can help prevent, or delay the onset of dementia.”

More than 6 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 that cannot be cured, prevented or even slowed. Additionally, more than 11 million family and friends provide care to people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias in the U.S. In New Jersey alone, there are more than 190,000 people living with the disease and 347,000 caregivers.

Register your team today. Sign up as a Team Captain or register to walk as an individual. Learn more at alz.org/delval or contact mifattizzi@alz.org for more information.