Hundreds of walkers from across the area participated in this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Walworth County.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, participants walked as individuals and small groups on sidewalks, tracks and trails across Walworth County Sept. 19 to ensure the health and safety for all involved in the event.
The walk, chaired by Joshua Spiegelhoff, president, Spiegelhoff Insurance; Emily Karls, administrator, Shorehaven; and Chris Zegarra, agent, Spiegelhoff Insurance, is projected to raise more than $90,000 to fund research and local services in Walworth County including support groups, education, information and referral services, care and support efforts and a 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900.
“The Walk to End Alzheimer’s plays a critical role in advancing our mission in the fight against Alzheimer’s and other dementias,” said David Grams, executive director, Alzheimer’s Association Wisconsin Chapter. “Even though COVID-19 changed how we walked this year, the Wisconsin community came out in full force with overwhelming participation on our local streets and neighborhoods. We thank everyone for their unrelenting dedication to helping us end Alzheimer’s.”
By the numbers
More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease and 120,000 of them live in Wisconsin.
Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Between the years 2000 and 2018, deaths from Alzheimer’s increased by 146%.
More than 16 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias; 195,000 in Wisconsin.
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to create substantial challenges for people living with dementia, their families and caregivers. Donations are needed now more than ever to meet the skyrocketing demand for care and support services offered by the Alzheimer’s Association to local Wisconsin communities.
Donations can still be made to the Walk to End Alzheimer’s through Dec. 31 at act.alz.org/wisconsin. Mail-in donations should be directed to our regional mail-processing hub: Alzheimer’s Association, Attn: Walworth County, Wisconsin Walk, 7900 W. 78th Street, Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55439.
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.
For more information, visit alz.org.
