The Alzheimer’s Association is inviting Pensacola Bay Area residents to join the fight to end Alzheimer’s by participating in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Sunday, Oct. 2. This year’s event will mark the 10th year of the Walk and a decade of community action to raise awareness and funds.
Chasity Brooks, of Pensacola, will be walking for her 6th year in a row. She says it’s important she keeps her mother-in-law and uncle’s memory alive by raising awareness.
“I participate in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s each year in memory of family members that we have lost, to show support for those that are still fighting the battle, and to the future that doesn’t know they have it yet,” said Brooks.
The walk, for Brooks, is also a way to reassure other families that they are not alone.
“We want to keep awareness in the public and let others know you are not alone and we are here for you and with you. I could not change the outcome for us, but my efforts may make a difference for others.”
Leigh Sharp, of Pensacola, walks to honor her mother.
“I want to be loud and proud of my support because every single person on earth will in one way or another be impacted by Alzheimer’s. It has to be addressed. It has got to go!” said Sharp.
This year’s walk will include some new and exciting perks.
“The walk committee is very excited about some great new features coming to the walk this year. The enhanced sponsor area includes a parking lot, special music spot, 360 photo booths, along with the Brain Bus visiting the panhandle this year!” said Community Development Manager Tina Henson.
While past events were mainly virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Alzheimer’s Association is moving forward with hosting this year’s Pensacola Walk in person. Henson noted that the health and safety of participants, staff and volunteers remain the Association’s top priorities, however.
Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. On Walk day, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer’s with the poignant Promise Garden ceremony – a mission-focused experience that signifies their solidarity in the fight against the disease. The colors of the Promise Garden flowers represent participants’ connections to Alzheimer’s disease and their personal reasons for walking.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease – a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In Florida alone, there are more than 580,000 people living with the disease and 527,000 caregivers.
The Pensacola Bay Area Walk to End Alzheimer’s will kick off with registration at 2 p.m. followed by the Opening Ceremony at 3 p.m., Oct. 2, at Community Maritime Park in Pensacola. Parking will be available at the Blue Wahoo Stadium. To register and receive the latest updates on this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, visit alz.org/Pensacola.
Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s®
The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Since 1989, the Alzheimer’s Association mobilized millions of Americans in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk®; now the Alzheimer’s Association is continuing to lead the way with Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s Association®
The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Its mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia – by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.
