Walk to End Alzheimer's this Sunday at Reston Town Center

More than 800 people will unite in a movement to reclaim the future for millions by participating in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s Northern Virginia on Sunday, Oct. 22 at the Reston Town Center.

Congressman Gerry Connolly, a longtime champion of the fight to end Alzheimer’s on Capitol Hill, will attend and speak during the program.

Many community members have been participating in Walk to End Alzheimer’s for several years, including Jane Derrick, who started walking in 2004 because of her grandfather. “Alzheimer’s takes so much from those it touches, especially their memories. Watching someone slip away and struggle to remember is difficult to do,” says Derrick. “Over the years, I’ve seen the dedication of the Alzheimer's Association, met many wonderful people that are now friends, joined the Walk Committee and have been a part ever since. I walk to help us all find a cure to end Alzheimer’s so this cycle does not continue to repeat itself.”

Also participating is Michelle Alonso, who supports the Alzheimer’s Association in several volunteer roles, including as an advocacy ambassador to Rep. Connolly. Alonso lost her father to younger onset Alzheimer’s, as well as her grandmother. She and her team, Gpa’s Krewe, have been walking in Northern Virginia since 2016 and in Galveston, Texas prior to that. Says Alonso: “Walk to End Alzheimer’s is such a beautiful experience – to be surrounded by so many people that understand what you are going through or what you’ve been through. We are all there with one goal in mind, to raise awareness and find our first survivor.”

Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. The event features a poignant Promise Garden ceremony — a mission-focused experience that signifies the solidarity of the Walk participants in the fight against the disease. The colors of the Promise Garden flowers represent each participant's personal connection to Alzheimer’s:

• Blue: Someone living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia.
• Purple: An individual who has lost someone to the disease.
• Yellow: A person who is currently supporting or caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s.
• Orange: A participant who supports the cause and the Association’s vision of a world without Alzheimer’s and other dementia.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures report, an estimated 6.7 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease, including 150,000 in Virginia. More 354,000 Virginians are among the 11 million Americans who provide unpaid care to someone living with Alzheimer’s. The estimated value of that unpaid care nationwide is $340 billion dollars.

“There has never been a greater need for the community to join in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease by participating in Walk to End Alzheimer’s,” said Kate Rooper, President and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association National Capital Area Chapter. “Funds raised through the Walk will provide information, education and support to people living with Alzheimer’s and their families and caregivers, while also contributing to advancing critically-needed research.”

Registration will open at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday. The ceremony will begin at 12:30 p.m., followed by the Walk. Participation is free; however, participants are encouraged to raise funds. For more information and to register, visit alz.org/ncawalks or contact Brittney Stern at 703.766.9035 or bhstern@alz.org.