The Cleveland Walk to End Alzheimer’s

Participants in this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be able to physically join forces to recreate the driving movement and energy that fuels the fight to end Alzheimer’s.

The Alzheimer’s Association Cleveland Area Chapter will host four Walk to End Alzheimer’s events in the region and all will take place in person. The Association is inviting area residents to join the fight by signing up as a team captain, joining a team or registering to walk as an individual at alz.org/walk.

Lindsay Walker, Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Association Cleveland Area Chapter, said the chapter decided to move forward with plans to host the 2021 Walk to End Alzheimer’s because meeting in-person provides an exceptionally moving experience that can be accomplished as COVID restrictions loosen. “I can't even express how excited we are to have all of our walks in person this fall. There will be some modifications, so we can make sure that everyone attending feels safe and comfortable. For those individuals who don't want to join in person, they can still participate in all of the day-of activities through the Walk To End Alzheimer's mobile app," Walker said.

Over the last two years, participants have contributed $1,355,099, providing funding for Alzheimer’s care and support for local families and for research. The dates for this year’s Walks are:

Lake and Geauga Counties – September 12

Lorain County – September 18

Cleveland – October 3

Ashtabula County – October 9

The Cleveland Walk to End Alzheimer’s is presented by Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and the Cleveland Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, and GIE Media. On Walk day, participants will 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.

Last year 1,889 more people with dementia died in Ohio than expected because of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to statistics from the Alzheimer’s Association. In addition, the pandemic placed additional stress on caregivers who for months could not see their loved ones in long-term care or could not utilize services like in-home aides and adult-day care services for fear of their loved one contracting COVID.

“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,” Walker said. “This Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be extra special because we now have a treatment for Alzheimer’s and we can come together to help each other.”

The Cleveland Area Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association supports 160,000 caregivers in the region. There are 50,000 people living with Alzheimer’s in the Chapter’s five-county area. More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease – a leading cause of death in the United States. 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. 

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.