Alzheimer’s Walk In Manassas Raises Money For Research

MANASSAS, VA — People from all over Manassas will be walking Saturday, Oct. 19, to raise money for Alzheimer’s disease research. The walk here is one of hundreds of the Alzheimer’s Association’s annual Walk To End Alzheimer’s events being held around the country during the last two weekends in September.

The Manassas walk will be held at Harris Pavilion in Old Town Manassas at 9:30 a.m. Registration kicks off at 8:30 a.m. With four weeks left before the Manassas walk, 435 participants and 125 teams are registered. Together, they have raised about $90,000 of their $205,000 goal.

The walks raise money to support Alzheimer’s care, support and research. There is neither a cure for Alzheimer’s nor a way to slow the progression of the disease. It’s estimated that 5.8 million Americans of all ages, including an estimated 5.6 million people 65 and older, are living with Alzheimer’s dementia. About 200,000 people under the age of 65 have early-onset Alzheimer’s, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

There’s no fee to participate in the walks, and teams do the fundraising — whether by crowdfunding on social media or beating the pavement for business sponsors who’ll kick in matching funds. Businesses are encouraged to participate, too, whether by sponsoring a team, sponsoring a local walk or offering some other form of support.

Teams or individuals registering for the walk get free, easy-to-use tools and staff support to help them reach their fundraising goals.

“Participation in the event helps to change the level of Alzheimer’s awareness in your community,” the Alzheimer’s Association says.

So far, about 600 Alzheimer’s Walks are scheduled around the country, but more events are being added.