‘Walk to End Alzheimer’s’ raises over $25,000

ST. GEORGE — Over 400 people gathered in Tonaquint Park in St. George Saturday morning to take part in the 2015 “Walk to End Alzheimer’s,” a fundraiser that the local chapter’s executive director said raised over $25,000.

“We’re really trying to break down some of the stigma about Alzheimer’s disease, so people can find out what resources there are,” Alzheimer’s Association’s Utah chapter Executive Director  Ronnie Daniel said. “We are here to honor caregivers, as well.”

Participants in the Alzheimer's Walk head for the walking course Saturday, St. George, Utah, Nov. 14, 2015 | Photo by Ric Wayman, St. George News
Participants in the Alzheimer’s Walk to the End head for the walking course Saturday, St. George, Utah, Nov. 14, 2015 | Photo by Ric Wayman, St. George News

Over 29,000 people are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease in Utah, Daniel said, and there are about 142,000 caregivers supporting those people.

“This is a cause that I really believe in a lot and care about because so many people are going to be impacted,” Daniel said. “In fact, in Utah we’re projected to have about a 50 percent increase in the number of people suffering from this disease in the next 10 years, primarily because we have so many people who are becoming seniors.”

Daniel said 1 out of every 9 people will have Alzheimer’s by age 65, adding that donations to the association can be made year-round at the state association’s website.

“Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States,” Daniel said, “and the only one of the top 10 that does not have a way to prevent, cure or slow the disease.”

Daniel added that over 15 different research programs are presently happening in Utah and part of the money raised in today’s walk will go to funding research and finding a cure.

The walk covered 2 miles of easy ground in the areas around Tonaquint Park, made by participants of all ages clad in the association’s purple T-shirts.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2015, all rights reserved.

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3 Comments

  • laytonian November 15, 2015 at 11:09 am

    ““We’re really trying to break down some of the stigma about Alzheimer’s disease”

    WHAT? I thought this was a walk to “end Alzheimers” not another “awareness campaign” that does nothing but collect money that GOES WHERE?
    Who is NOT aware of Alzheimers and where’s the stigma in having a disease that can strike anyone?

  • 42214 November 15, 2015 at 11:49 am

    I wonder how many got lost?

  • ladybugavenger November 15, 2015 at 1:29 pm

    I think they should keep walking to end Alzheimer’s before I get it!

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