Walk to End Alzheimer's this Saturday at Harris Pavilion

More than 500 people are expected to unite in a movement to reclaim the future for millions by participating in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s Virginia Tri-Counties on Saturday, Oct. 21 at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, VA.

Michael Farrell, executive vice president with Main Street Home Loans and vice chair of the Alzheimer’s Association National Capital Area Chapter’s board of directors, returns as the chair this year’s Walk. “My mother was just 66 years old when she was diagnosed. The disease only took three years to take her life,” said Farrell. “She was a woman who had an extreme love of family and life. Watching a highly capable person lose the ability to navigate familiar places, manage a checkbook, remember faces and eventually lose the ability to care for herself is something no other person should have to endure. I walk not only for her but for the countless others who face a similar fate. I also walk for the amazing caregivers who endure a tremendous emotional and financial toll on their own lives.”

Many people have been participating in Walk to End Alzheimer’s for several years, including Nicole McGee, who has been participating in the event since 2012 in memory of her mother and grandmother, both lost to dementia. McGee, who is on this year’s Walk planning committee, encourages the community to come to the Walk, both to raise funds and awareness and to learn about help available from the Alzheimer’s Association. “If you don't already know someone with Alzheimer's, you will,” she said. “The numbers are rising and it is affecting so many people, even young people. This disease is fatal and has no cure. You should join the fight so that we will have the first survivor of Alzheimer’s in our lifetime.”

Cindy Schmitt, captain of Team Haz’s Heroes, is participating for the fourth year. “My Mom struggled for 10 years with Alzheimer's. She was my biggest cheerleader and my best friend. I miss her every day,” said Schmitt, who lost her mother Hazel in 2021. “We have to find a cure and bring awareness to this disease that rips our loved ones from us. It not only affects the person with Alzheimer’s, but each person that loves them. I pray my daughter never has to deal with this disease. We have to keep fighting!”

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. The event features a poignant Promise Garden ceremony — a mission-focused experience that signifies the solidarity of the Walk participants in the fight against the disease. The colors of the Promise Garden flowers represent people’s personal connection to Alzheimer’s:

• 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.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures report, an estimated 6.7 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease, including 150,000 in Virginia. More 354,000 Virginians are among the 11 million Americans who provide unpaid care to someone living with Alzheimer’s. The estimated value of that unpaid care nationwide is valued at $340 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.”

Registration will open at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday. The ceremony will begin at 9:30 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 [email protected].