Why I Walk To End Alzheimer's - Aiden Kocotos

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 10 year old, Aiden Kocotos, a fifth grader in West Milford, and a participant in the Bergen-Passaic Walk To End Alzheimer’s, taking place on Sunday, October 17 at Overpeck Park in Ridgefield Park. "It is truly remarkable that Aiden is only 10 years old and he is so passionate about philanthropy. We are very glad that he has designated our Bergen/Passaic Walk to End Alzheimer's as one of his fundraising events," said, Kayla Klinzing, Walk Manager.

Aiden’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 his 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.

Aiden’s mother, Sharyn Titus, explains, “My son Aiden is 10 years old. Just before the COVID-19 pandemic, he asked if we could participate in three to five walks a year for a special cause. Unfortunately, COVID-19 put a stop to in person walks last year so we tabled it. This past spring, we saw that the Alzheimer’s Association Greater New Jersey Chapter was moving forward with in-person events so Aiden asked if we could walk for ‘Grammy’, his 97 years old great grandmother who is living with dementia and has had significant memory loss.”

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.