1st 'Walk To End Alzheimer's' In Greenport Raises More Than $25K

GREENPORT, NY — The first-ever. "Walk to End Alzheimer's" event took place in Greenport Sunday, raising $25,000 to fund "the care, support and research programs of the Alzheimer’s Association," organizers said.

"It was great to bring Walk to End Alzheimer’s to North Fork,” said Judy Wichter, associate director of development for the Alzheimer’s Association Long Island Chapter. "Thank you to Peconic Landing for hosting the inaugural event and supporting the Alzheimer’s Association for the past eight years."

On the day of the walk, participants honored those affected by Alzheimer’s with a Promise Garden ceremony — "a mission-focused experience that signifies our solidarity in the fight against the disease," organizers said. "The colors of the Promise Garden flowers represent people’s connection to Alzheimer’s, their personal reasons to end the disease."

According to the Alzheimer's Association, more than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease — a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In New York alone, there are more than 410,000 people living with the disease and 546,000 caregivers, the organization said.

In addition, 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.