The Alzheimer's Association is inviting adults, teens and children of all ages to come walk it out and support the fight to find a cure for the disease at the Weld County Walk to End Alzheimer's at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 2.
"COVID-19 kept us apart in 2020, but the Coloradans who share our commitment to finding a cure for Alzheimer's are ready to gather together in honor of their loved ones and raise funds to find a prevention or cure for this horrible disease," said Ashley Flores, regional development manager for the Alzheimer's Association in northeastern Colorado.
As one of the nonprofits signature fundraising opportunities, the walk not only helps raise money but also serves as a way to raise awareness about the disease and educate the community about resource and support services.
The Alzheimer's Association offers a variety of classes, resources and programs for individuals living with Alzheimer's or dementia and their family. (Greeley Tribune file photo)
Alzheimer's is the sixth leading cause of death and the only major disease without a prevention or cure.
Some key facts about Alzheimer's disease are:
- There are around 76,000 Americans living with Alzheimer's disease
- Alzheimer's kills more people than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined
- Women make up 2/3 of people diagnosed with the disease
- Women also make up 2/3 of the caregivers
- Just in 2020 alone, more than 158,000 family and friends are serving as unpaid caregivers, providing around 184 million hours of support valued at over $3.7 billion
- Since 2000, deaths from the disease have risen 145% while deaths from heart disease have declined 7%
- After a long challenging two years, organizers decided to pump some new life into the walk by changing up the route.
This year participants will travel around downtown Greeley along 8th and 9th streets, with the opening ceremony and closing celebration at Lincoln Park, which sits between 9th and 10th avenues.
With the annual event outgrowing its location at Bittersweet Park, the new walk route in downtown will allow for additional parking options, provide a more central location and better connect the organization with the community.
"I may be a little biased, but I love the downtown area; it's great. I just really appreciate how they have worked so hard to revamp it," Flores said. "With this location, we are looking forward to an even greater sense of community, participation and local support as we utilize the new space.
"It just seemed like an all-around win to move it down there," she added.
In Colorado alone, more than 158,000 family and friends are serving as unpaid caregivers, providing an estimated 184 million hours of support in 2020 valued at more than $3.7 billion. (Photo courtesy Alzheimer's Association of Colorado)
The nonprofit's goal is to raise $90,000 at the Weld County walk with a statewide fundraising mission of $2.4 million. The organization hosts 13 different walks throughout Colorado including Vail Valley, Durango, Denver, Colorado Springs and Yampa Valley.
Local political leaders, Rep-D Mary Young and Weld County Commissioner Perry Buck will be in attendance at the event.
"I look forward to what I hope is a successful fundraising and creating awareness event for Alzheimer's," Buck said.
This will be Young's first time participating in the walk. Young is the co-chair of the legislative Caucus on Aging and knows first-hand how hard the disease can be on a family as she watched her grandfather and father-in-law succumb to Alzheimer's.
"One in 10 people over 65 have Alzheimer's. Nationwide, someone every 66 seconds is diagnosed with Alzheimer's," Young explained. "The impact of this disease will continue to place a growing stress on our health care system and require a growing number of caregivers. It is anticipated that Colorado will be the state with the second largest number of citizens over the age of 65."
More than 75,000 Coloradans are among 6.2 million Americans living with Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's kills more people than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. (Greeley Tribune file photo)
While Young and Buck may be on the opposite ends of the political spectrum, they are happy to put politics aside to come together to support the Alzheimer's Association.
"I find that no matter what your political affiliation we as elected officials in Weld are committed to representing our constituents. We may not always agree about priorities or how to respond to the needs in the state, but we often can find a common path to support not-for-profit community organizations such as the Alzheimer's association," Young said. "This disease doesn't choose those who are inflicted with the disease based on political affiliation or economic status though there are differences in its impact on different racial and ethnic groups with individuals from the Latino and Black communities being impacted by Alzheimer's to a greater degree."
Each registered participant will receive a Promise Garden Flower with the different color representing that person's support for the organization.
- Blue represents someone living with Alzheimer's or another dementia
- Purple is for those who have lost a someone to the disease
- Yellow represents someone who is currently supporting or caring for a person living with Alzheimer's.
- Orange is for those who support the cause and the Association's vision of a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia
Organizers are encouraging participants to register early for the walk online as a COVID-19 safety precaution.
"Normally we have a big registration tent and people are standing in line filling out paperwork and sharing pens," Flores said. "Just as a precaution, we are asking people to register online."
If there are any changes to the walk's date or COVID-19 safety requirements, the organization will post that information on their website as well as on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.
"We are pushing through like it's going to happen and we're just hoping that this is what it's going to be," Flores said. "We do have an online option for people even if we are in-person. So that's another option."
All funds raised by the Alzheimer's Association Colorado Chapter are used to help advance the organization's mission, Flores explained. This includes care and support for families in our community who are dealing with Alzheimer's disease and other dementia, research for a cure, increasing awareness of the disease, increasing funding through events and ensuring that the nonprofit is serving everyone in the community.
The organization has a 24-hour helpline at (800) 272-3900 that operates year around providing information, help with resources and other assistance to friends and family members with loved ones that have the disease.
For more information on to make a donation, volunteer or register for the Weld County Walk to End Alzheimer's, go to www.alz.org/co.
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