Community members of all ages took part in the 2014 Walk to End Alzheimer’s ®. The group is shown marching across Central Avenue to Ashley Pond. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.comLos Alamos will host the annual Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s ® Saturday, Sept. 12 at East Park and Aspen Ridge Lodge, 300 E. Road.
Hundreds of residents from Los Alamos and surrounding communities are expected to participate. Pre-registration is encouraged. Visit www.alz.org to sign up or for more information.
Registration at the event begins at 9 a.m. An Opening Ceremony is 10:50 a.m., and the Walk begins at 11a.m. The length of the route is 1K. All citizens are encouraged to attend and be a part of the Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s ®, the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research programs.
The number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease is growing fast. It is the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S., with 5.3 million currently afflicted with the disease. Sixteen million are expected to have the disease by 2050. There is no cure, no treatment and no prevention.
In our own state, 36,000 New Mexicans are currently suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, a number expected to swell to 53,000 by 2025. They are being cared for by 106,000 unpaid caregivers, most of whom are family members.
The toll on families is immeasurable, but the financial impact is clear and devastating. It is the single most expensive disease in America. The cost for Alzheimer’s and related dementia care in 2015 is expected to reach $226 billion. By 2050, it is projected to rise to $1.1 trillion
The Alzheimer’s Association, New Mexico Chapter is leading the battle to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease by raising money for the advancement of research; providing care and support for all affected; and reducing the risk of dementia through their advocacy and promotion of brain health. As part of that mission, the New Mexico Chapter offers free educational classes all across the state to caregivers and families facing the disease. The Association’s keystone fundraiser is The Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
Recently, Gov. Susana Martinez proclaimed September as “Walk to End Alzheimer’s Month”. In the proclamation, she sites not only the staggering growth of the disease and its impact on the state but acknowledges the “thousands of New Mexicans who will come together… to raise awareness and funds through a Walk to End Alzheimer’s® Event.”
Under the auspices of the Alzheimer’s Association, New Mexico Chapter, seven cities in New Mexico are hosting their own Walks to End Alzheimer’s. They include Las Cruces and Los Alamos Sept. 12; Santa Fe, Farmington and Deming Sept. 19; Albuquerque Sept. 26 and Roswell Oct. 17.
Join a team, start a team or simply walk. For more information, visit http://www.alz.org/.
