Walk to End Alzheimer's looks different: Participants to walk in small groups on sidewalks, trails

The 2020 Walk to End Alzheimer’s—Oneonta will take place on Sept. 27, raising awareness and funds for dementia care, support and research.

The event, which attracted more than 250 participants and raised over $37,000 in 2019, will look different this year. Instead of hosting a large gathering, participants will walk as individuals or in small groups of friends and family on sidewalks, tracks and trails across Otsego, Delaware and Schoharie counties.

“Although communities can’t join together for a large, in-person event due to the pandemic, participants will still walk in their neighborhoods. On event day, we invite you to participate in small, safe teams while others in your community do the same,” said Ann Thayer, program manager and rural health care advisor at the Alzheimer’s Association, Northeastern New York Chapter.

On Walk Day, Sept. 27, at 1 p.m., the opening ceremony will be delivered to participants' smartphones, tablets and computers.

On the same day, a group of Alzheimer’s Association staff and volunteers will create the iconic Promise Garden to honor all those impacted by dementia in a “view only” and “drive-by” format. The Promise Garden will take place from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at Neahwa Park.

Every year on Walk day, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer's or another dementia with blue, yellow, purple and orange Promise Garden Flowers. These flowers highlight the different reasons for taking part in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The blue flower represents people like Chris Given of Morris, New York, who are living with dementia. The yellow flower represents people like Sheila Kennedy who care for their loved ones living with dementia. The purple flower represents people like Marcella Gonzels of South Kortright who lost their loved ones to Alzheimer’s or another dementia. The orange flower represents people like Art Klinger who support the Association’s vision of a world without Alzheimer’s and all dementia.

In New York State alone, there are more than 400,000 people who live with the disease and more than 1 million caregivers who provide unpaid care to their loved ones with dementia.

The Oneonta Walk is supported by national presenting sponsors Edward Jones and CVS Health (or Aetna/Omnicare) and NYCM Insurance—local presenting sponsor and Promise Garden sponsor. To register and receive the latest updates on this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, visit: alz.org/walk.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s®

The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Since 1989, the Alzheimer’s Association® mobilized millions of Americans in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk®; now the Alzheimer’s Association is continuing to lead the way with Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer's Association®

The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Its mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia—by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.

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