Alzheimer’s Association invites community to register for walks to end Alzheimer’s.

The Alzheimer’s Association invites Northeast Ohioans to register for the 2024 Wayne and Holmes County Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday, Sept. 21, at Secrest Arboretum at the Ohio Agricultural Development Center in Wooster.

With more than 600 walks taking place across the U.S. each fall, Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest fundraising event and supports the association’s free educational programs and support groups, Alzheimer’s care services and advancements in treatment and research.

The fundraising goal for the Wayne and Holmes County Walk is $65,000. Mike Link from Care Patrol and president of the Wayne County Senior Network will serve as the walk chair.

“I have always had a passion to support the aging population,” Link said. “When I was offered the opportunity to join the committee as chair, I couldn’t pass it up. The walk is a special time for families who have been affected by this devastating disease to come together as one large support group.”

Registration is open. For more information, to register to walk as a team or individual, or to sign up as a team captain, visit alz.org/walk.

An estimated 6.9 million Americans aged 65 and older have Alzheimer’s dementia, including 236,200 in Ohio, according to the Alzheimer’s Association Facts and Figures report. About 5,000 Ohioans died from Alzheimer’s in 2021 (the most recent year for state-by-state data).

Sponsorships are available. To learn more about the benefits of being a sponsor, contact Austin Stull at austull@alz.org or 330-858-1797.

The Alzheimer's Association Helpline is available 24/7, 365 days a year to those needing information, guidance or support at 800-272-3900.