Join the Orlando Walk to End Alzheimer's - Make a Difference

Joining Together to Fight Alzheimer's Disease: The Orlando Walk to End Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's disease is a devastating illness that impacts millions of families. It slowly destroys memory and cognitive function, robbing people of their abilities and independence. While there is currently no cure, you can make a difference by joining the fight against Alzheimer's disease at the Orlando Walk to End Alzheimer's.

Understanding Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects the brain. It is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of cases. In Alzheimer's disease, the brain develops abnormal clumps of proteins that damage and kill brain cells, leading to loss of memory, skills and function over time.

Early signs of Alzheimer's disease include memory problems, confusion, difficulty planning and solving problems, and personality changes. As the disease advances, those with Alzheimer's lose their ability to communicate, fail to recognize loved ones, and become completely dependent on others for care.

Sadly, Alzheimers has no current cure. However, treatments and lifestyle changes can temporarily slow symptom progression and improve quality of life for those impacted.

Who is Affected by Alzheimer's?

Over 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease. Some key facts about who it impacts include:

• Most common in seniors 65 and older, affecting 1 in 9 people in this age group
• The number of cases doubles every 5 years beyond age 65
• 1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer's or another dementia
• Nearly 2/3 of Americans with Alzheimer's are women
• African Americans are about twice as likely as whites to develop Alzheimer's
• Hispanics are about one and a half times more likely to develop Alzheimer's

With the aging population, the prevalence of Alzheimers is expected to triple in the coming decades. This makes supporting research and services for Alzheimer's more vital than ever.

The Walk to End Alzheimer's

The Walk to End Alzheimers is the worlds largest event focused on raising awareness and funds for Alzheimers care, support, and research. It is held annually in over 600 communities nationwide.

The Orlando Walk to End Alzheimer's takes place every Fall at Lake Eola Park downtown. It draws Together, participants help raise critically needed funds and show solidarity in the fight to end Alzheimers disease. It provides an inspiring opportunity to get involved and make a difference.

Who Participates in the Walk?

The Orlando Walk to End Alzheimer's brings together people of all ages and backgrounds who share a connection to this disease. Participants include:

• Individuals with Alzheimer's disease
• Family, friends and caregivers of those impacted
• Health care professionals
• Researchers
• Local organizations
• Advocacy groups
• Community leaders
• Companies and teams
• Students

The Walk truly unites the entire community to rally for the cause and show support for the millions facing Alzheimer's disease.

Reasons to Join the Walk

There are many great reasons to sign up for the Orlando Walk to End Alzheimer's including:

• Raise awareness - Increase visibility and understanding of Alzheimer's through a huge, inspiring public event.
• Advocate for change - Add your voice to motivate action and policies that better serve the Alzheimer's community.
• Fundraise - All donations support vital care initiatives, support groups, education and cutting-edge Alzheimer's research.
• Volunteer - Contribute your time and talents to make the event experience meaningful for participants.
• Honor loved ones - Pay special tribute to those lost or impacted by Alzheimer's disease.
• Connect with others - Share experiences and meet fellow advocates in the fight against this disease.

Coming together for the Walk is incredibly uplifting and fuels the momentum needed to overcome Alzheimer's disease.

What to Expect at the Orlando Walk

The Walk to End Alzheimer's is more than just a fundraiser - it is a moving experience that inspires and educates participants. Here's an overview of what you can expect:

Opening Ceremony

The event kicks off with an opening ceremony featuring:

• Welcoming remarks from organizers and special guests
• Inspiring stories from those touched by Alzheimer's
• Ceremonial Promise Garden flower ceremony
• Thought-provoking facts and figures about Alzheimer's prevalence

The ceremony provides powerful context and sets the tone for the rest of the event.

The Walk

The highlight of the event is the Walk course at Lake Eola Park with participants carrying flowers representing their connection to Alzheimer's disease. The 1-3 mile scenic walk around the lake allows everyone to join together in solidarity against this condition.

Promise Garden

The Promise Garden provides a beautiful visual representation of the collective commitment to ending Alzheimer's disease. Participants place their participation flowers in the garden, arranged by color to signify:

• Blue - Someone with Alzheimer's or dementia
• Purple - Lost a loved one to the disease
• Yellow - Currently supporting or caring for someone with Alzheimer's
• Orange - Support the cause and vision of a world without Alzheimer's

Seeing the garden fully bloomed with thousands of flowers is incredibly moving.

Education and Resources

The Walk also offers an expo area with booths from local groups and organizations involved in Alzheimer's care, services, research and education. Attendees can gather resources and connect with support groups and programs to better help those impacted by the disease.

It is an uplifting and inspiring day focused on accelerating progress in the fight against Alzheimer's that also pays meaningful tribute to those we have lost.

How to Participate in the Orlando Walk to End Alzheimer's

Joining the Orlando Walk to End Alzheimer's is simple. All you need to do is register online and start fundraising. Here are some tips for getting involved:

Plan Your Participation

• Visit alz.org/walk to find the Orlando Walk page with event details.
• Review key info like date, start times, parking and shuttle details.
• Decide if you want to walk as an individual or join/start a team.
• Set your fundraising goal - many aim for $100 to $500.

Register and Customize

• Sign up online for free and create a personal page.
• Customize your page with photos and your Alzheimer's story.
• Select a participation flower based on your connection to the disease.

Reach Out

• Share your page by email, social media and text message with family and friends.
• Highlight your motivation for participating and the importance of the cause.
• Provide updates on progress towards your fundraising goal.

Fundraise

• Reach your goal through secure online donations or checks by mail.
• Engage through Facebook fundraisers, giving days and local restaurant fund nights.
• Inspire others to join your team and multiply your impact.

Every step you take in the fight against Alzheimer's makes a real difference. Sign up today to walk for brighter tomorrows without this devastating disease.

The Impact of the Orlando Walk to End Alzheimer's

Funds raised through the Orlando Walk to End Alzheimer's provide vital support for local programs and advance research efforts. Some key impacts include:

• Local support services - Programs offering caregiver resources, 24/7 helplines, support groups, early stage engagement and crisis assistance.
• Advocacy initiatives - Efforts to educate lawmakers and motivate policies that better serve the Alzheimer's community.
• Clinical trial matching - Connecting qualified participants with enrolling studies to accelerate research progress.
• Emerging science - Investing in groundbreaking early science, drug trials and genetic research to uncover new treatments.

Funds also further initiatives to develop new diagnostics to detect Alzheimer's sooner and improve care and support for those living with the disease now.

When we all work Together, even small contributions add up to make the world-changing difference we need to end Alzheimer's disease once and for all.

Join Us and Be Part of the Orlando Walk to End Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's disease impacts too many families, but you can bring us closer to the first survivor by joining the Orlando Walk to End Alzheimer's. Sign up today to walk, volunteer, fundraise and get involved in this inspiring event that fuels real progress in the fight against Alzheimer's.

Together, we can advance research, enhance care and support, raise awareness and mobilize advocates to overcome Alzheimer's disease. Register now and take the first step towards a future without Alzheimer's!

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.