Northeastern Massachusetts Walk to End Alzheimer's Is Oct. 2

ANDOVER, MA —The Alzheimer's Association Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter has announced it will be hosting the Northeastern Massachusetts Walk to End Alzheimer's next month in Andover.

The walk takes place on Oct. 2 at Andover's Brickstone Square. The opening ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m. with the walk to follow. Participants can choose to start a team, join a team or walk as an individual. Interested walkers can register online.

The Walk to End Alzheimer's is held in more than 600 communities across the country —including nine in Massachusetts — and is the world's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care, support and research, according to organizers.

At the walks, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer's with a Promise Garden ceremony, which signifies solidarity in the fight against the disease.

In 2021, the Northeastern Massachusetts Walk to End Alzheimer's drew 1,200 participants —many of them part of the 240 participating teams — and raised $525,000 toward research, care and support for people living with Alzheimer's, their families and caregivers.

Local organizers said the goal of this year's walk is to raise $600,000.

"The Walk to End Alzheimer's is a fun, inspiring, emotional event that brings together people of all ages to take the first step toward a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia," said Jim Wessler, CEO of the Alzheimer's Association MA/NH Chapter. "This event helps us continue to provide resources and programs for local families affected by Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, while also advancing critical research towards methods of treatment and prevention."

According to the Alzheimer's Association — a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer's care — there are more than 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer's disease. More than 11 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer's and other dementias.

In Massachusetts, there are more than 130,000 people living with Alzheimer's and 284,000 caregivers, according to the Alzheimer's Association.
More information about the Walk to End Alzheimer's and the Alzheimer's Association is available online.