Why I Walk To End Alzheimer's - Navni Mehta

The Alzheimer's Association Greater New Jersey Chapter 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 Navni Mehta of Franklin Park, a participant in the Mercer-Middlesex Walk To End Alzheimer’s, taking place on Sunday, September 19 at Veterans Park, 2206 Kuser Road in Hamilton Township. “Navni is a wonderful, determined and very active member of the Mercer-Middlesex Walk Planning Committee. She has worked hard all season posting on social media helping to increase visibility, participation and attendance." said, JoAnne LaPergola, Walk Manager.

Navni’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 her 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.

Navni explains, “I walk to honor my grandfather, Jagadish Mehta, who was diagnosed with dementia in 2011. Seeing him suffer, and the effect it had on our family, was one of the hardest things that we have ever gone through. Our experience as caregivers drives us to increase Alzheimer’s awareness, fundraise to advance research, and programs to support other families facing the same situation.”

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/njwalk. To donate, text 2ENDALZ to 51555, or contact us at gnjwalks@alz.org for more information.