Walk to End Alzheimer's this Saturday at the National Harbor

More than 500 people are expected to unite in a movement to reclaim the future for millions at the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s Prince George's County on Saturday, Oct. 26 at the National Harbor. Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s research, care and support.

Many of those participating on Saturday have supported the Walk to End Alzheimer’s for several years, including Tajuana Brown, captain of Team Nana’s Legacy. Brown lost her mother, Mildred ‘Nana’ Behlin, to Alzheimer’s in 2015, and her grandmother to the disease the day before Brown’s 21st birthday.

“She [my mother] instilled family and togetherness in all of us. She always supported everyone, so every year family and friends come together to honor her as we try to find a cure for this terrible disease,” says Tajuana about her mother. “We are her legacy and we honor her loving memory. If you've never seen or experienced this disease firsthand, consider yourself lucky. In honor of those who have lost someone or who are caring for someone battling this disease, know that I stand with you.”

Longtime participant Irma Nicholson walks in honor of her husband, who has been living with the disease for the past 16 years. Irma is the captain of Team The Power of Love, which has been the top fundraising team for the last several Walks. Since 2016, the team has raised a total of more than $105,000. Says Irma: “We walk because our team wants to bring awareness about this debilitating disease and help educate and support the residents of Prince George’s County, the fourth highest county in the country for prevalence of Alzheimer’s.”

According to the Alzheimer’s Association Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures report, nearly 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, including 127,000 in Maryland. More 247,000Marylanders are among the 11 million Americans – family members and friends – who provide unpaid care to someone living with the disease. The estimated value of that unpaid care nationwide is nearly $350 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.”

The Walk features a poignant Promise Garden ceremony. The colors of the Promise Garden flowers represent people’s personal connection to Alzheimer’s and signifies the solidarity of the Walk participants in the fight against the disease. They are:

• 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.

Registration will open at 9 a.m. on Saturday. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.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 Sonya Amartey at 703-766-9025 or
samartey@alz.org.