Santa Monica Alzheimer's Walk Brings In Over $122,000

SANTA MONICA, CA — Over 400 Santa Monica locals on Sunday gathered at Crescent Bay Park to embark on a walk with purpose.

The locals, participating alone and in fundraising teams, embarked on a roughly three-mile walk to raise money for Alzheimer's research, support services and care with the Alzheimer's Association.

Santa Monica joined cities across the country to host a local "Walk to End Alzheimer's," which every year includes over 600 communities nationally, according to the organization's website. Communities like the San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Valley, Westlake Village and Santa Clarita also hosted walks in October, and cities like Los Angeles and Huntington Beach plan to convene in early November.

The Santa Monica event drew in over $122,000 in donations with a single team, the Judy Fund Team, bringing in over $16,000 alone.

“We are thankful to all those who walked and all those who donated to support this important cause. The funds raised are critical to continuing our many programs which support families and to finding a cure to this progressive, fatal disease,” Alzheimer’s Association Walk Manager Donna Cohen said in a statement.

Many participants create teams of loved ones affected by Alzheimer's. Teams are often made up of families and friends, but businesses, senior living facilities and philanthropic companies often create teams as well, according to Cohen. Teams come from all over the west side.

"These teams often stretch beyond immediate friends and family to include neighbors, community organizations, religious groups, civic groups and schools. Regardless of who joins, forming a Friends and Family team is an effective way to bring even more awareness and funds to this critical cause. At the same time, team members can get involved in the community and move toward their personal health and wellness goals," the Alzheimer's Association website reads.

Upon registration, participants received colored flowers to represent their connection to Alzheimer's. While blue flowers represented a person living with Alzheimer's, purple flowers represented someone who had lost a loved one to Alzheimer's. Yellow flowers represented someone supporting or caring for someone with Alzheimer's, and orange represented supporters of the cause.

The Alzheimer's Association offers care and support services for "all those affected by Alzheimer's" through its local chapters. Some of its services include a free national helpline, support groups and educational programming. The organization significantly contributes to Alzheimer's research toward finding treatments, preventions and a cure. Learn more about the nonprofit using this link.