Local Alzheimer's walk raises more than $133,000

Oct. 23--The Alzheimer's Association Greater Richmond Chapter held its annual Fredericksburg Walk to End Alzheimer's on Oct. 15 at the University of Mary Washington. More than 550 individuals participated in this year's Walk and, in the process, raised more than $133,000 for Alzheimer's care, support programs and research.

The Fredericksburg fundraiser is one of three walks that benefit the Alzheimer's Association of Greater Richmond.

The other Walks include a Middle Peninsula-Northern Neck Walk that was held Oct. 8 at Bethpage Camp Resort in Urbanna; and a Richmond Walk to End Alzheimer's that is scheduled for Nov. 5 at Markel Plaza in Innsbrook.

Donations to the Walk to End Alzheimer's will be accepted through the end of the year and can be made at alz.org/walk.

At each walk, participants gather for a ceremony to honor those affected by Alzheimer's disease. Participants in the Promise Garden Commemoration are showing their commitment to fulfill their promise to remember, to honor, to care and to fight Alzheimer's disease. The different colors of the promise flowers represent the diverse reasons why they walk--blue flowers indicating the individual has Alzheimer's, yellow flowers indicating the individual is a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer's, purple flowers indicating the individual has lost someone to Alzheimer's, and orange flowers indicating the individual supports the cause and the vision of a world without Alzheimer's. Each participant has the opportunity to write a personal message on their promise flower to further strengthen their dedication.

Cindi Bowen, co-chair of the Fredericksburg walk, participates in the walk in support of those living with Alzheimer's and their caregivers and to fund research for treatment, and ultimately, a cure for the disease.

"I have seen it devastate families," said Bowen. "Alzheimer's robs people of activities that they have loved all their lives and it takes mothers and fathers away from their children."

Every 66 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer's disease, and by mid-century, someone in the U.S. will develop the disease every 33 seconds, the association says.

In Virginia, 140,000 individuals are living with Alzheimer's, including 26,000 in the Greater Richmond Chapter's service area. By 2025, estimates indicate that 190,000 Virginians will have Alzheimer's.

Last year, The Alzheimer's Association of Greater Richmond provided services to more than 12,000 individuals living with Alzheimer's or dementia as well as their caregivers, both personal and professional. The services provided included programs, support groups, Helpline calls, respite scholarships and more.

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