Samantha Kerner Will Return as Chair of the 2021 West Central Ohio Walk to End Alzheimer’s

LIMA, OH – Samantha Kerner, Community Services Representative at Springview Mansor, Trilogy Health Services, will again lead the community’s efforts to raise money to support Alzheimer’s care, support and research as the Chair of the 2021 West Central Ohio/Lima Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

The Walk is Saturday, September 11, and participants this year will be able to physically join forces to recreate the driving movement and energy that fuels the fight to end Alzheimer’s. The Walk will take place in-person at OSU/Rhodes Campus in Lima. The Promise Garden and Display Area open at 9 a.m. and the Walk Ceremony begins at 10 a.m. Participants will walk along a paved path through campus at the close of the ceremony.

Julia Pechlivanos, Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Association Northwest Ohio Chapter, said the Chapter is excited to move back to an in-person Walk experience this year because it offers the opportunity for people who have been impacted by dementia including caregivers, family, friends, and colleagues, to share their stories with one another.

“The health and safety of participants, staff and volunteers remain the Chapter’s top priority. In addition to the OSU/Rhodes Campus location, we will also continue to offer options to participate online and in your neighborhood,” Pechlivanos said.

The Walk draws from Allen, Auglaize, and Putnam counties.

In Northwest Ohio, 32,000 people live with the fatal progressive brain disease and 96,000 family and friends care for them.

On Walk day, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer’s with the poignant Promise Garden ceremony — a mission-focused experience that signifies solidarity in the fight against the disease. The colors of the Promise Garden flowers represent people’s connection to Alzheimer’s — their personal reasons to end the disease.

Kerner said, “The Walk to End Alzheimers is a wonderful day for fellowship with other caregivers and loved ones that are going through the same thing that you are going through. It’s also a great day of remembrance of a loved one or someone that you know that has/had dementia/Alzhiemers. By being involved, I hope one day we will be able to see the first survivor.”

Area residents can go to alz.org/walk to sign up as a team captain, join a team or register to walk as an individual.

Participants are encouraged to download the Walk to End Alzheimer’s mobile app to make their experience easier.

Also, the FAQ page on alz.org/walk will be updated regularly for details on the Walk-day experience.

More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease – a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s, which helps all affected, is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

Pechlivanos said, “This year has been extremely stressful for all and that’s why our efforts to raise money for care and support for local families are so critical. This Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be extra special because despite the pandemic, we now have a first-ever approved treatment for Alzheimer’s. The Walk will celebrate this advancement as well as acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of caregivers this past year.”