West Central Ohio Walk to End Alzheimer’s on September 12 Will Raise Money for Alzheimer’s Research and Support

LIMA, OH – Samantha Kerner said she participates in the West Central Ohio Walk to End Alzheimer’s to honor her grandfather, a World War II veteran who spent his last days revisiting the War and asking where his mother was.

“The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is a wonderful day for fellowship with other caregivers and loved ones that are going through the same thing that you are going through,” Kerner said. “It’s also a great day of remembrance of a loved one or someone that you know who has had dementia or Alzheimer’s.”

Purple Alzheimer’s shirts will be seen all over Allen, Putnam and Van Wert counties on September 12 as participants in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s show their support for Alzheimer’s research, care and support. Walkers in the West Central Ohio Walk to End Alzheimer’s will also have new tools to enhance the Walk experience.

Registration is now open for this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s. While the Alzheimer’s Association is not gathering a large crowd because of COVID-19 restrictions, participants are encouraged to walk individually in their neighborhoods to join the movement.

“We are excited for the Walk is Everywhere format this year, giving everyone the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to the cause right in their own neighborhoods or local parks,” said Julia Pechlivanos, Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Association Northwest Ohio Chapter.

“The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is not only about the funds that are raised, although the donations are tremendously important. The Alzheimer’s Association is building a movement to end Alzheimer’s and all dementia, and the Walk to End Alzheimer’s is perhaps the best way to engage hundreds of thousands of Americans in the cause,” she said.

This year’s goal is to raise $50,000. Last year, participants in the West Central Ohio Walk raised $42,000. Money raised during the Walk allows the Association to offer free Alzheimer’s education and support resources. In addition, Walk funds help pay for Alzheimer’s research.

Kerner, who is the Community Services Representative at Springview Manor, Trilogy Health Services, returns as chair of this year’s event. The Walk Ceremony, with the traditional Promise Garden Ceremony, will occur at 10 a.m. and will be livestreamed. The site of the view-only Promise Garden location will be the Allen County Museum, 620 W. Market St., Lima. Participants can drive by from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Promise Garden has different color flowers to represent one’s connection to the disease.

People can go to http://alz.org/nwohio/walk to register for the event.

On Walk Day, participants are encouraged to:

.Log onto Mainstage, the event’s interactive online experience

.Livestream the opening Promise Garden Ceremony

.Walk in your neighborhood

.Track your steps using the Walk to End Alzheimer’s app

.Visit the Promise Garden location

The West Central Ohio Walk to End Alzheimer’s is one of eight Walks the Northwest Ohio Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association is having this year. Last year, nearly 4,000 Northwest Ohio residents participated in those Walks. The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research programs.

Alzheimer’s is a progressive, fatal disease that kills nerve cells and tissues in the brain, affecting an individual’s ability to remember, think and plan. The Northwest Ohio Chapter makes care and support available to 32,000 people with Alzheimer’s disease in the chapter area, and an additional 96,000 people affected through their role as caregivers.