Participants fighting to end Alzheimer's took an inspirational walks in Naples on Saturday.
Walkers began the two-mile or three-mile walk at 9 a.m. Saturday morning. All in efforts to raise funds to further care, support and research towards Alzheimer's.
A registration fee was not required to walk but every participant was asked to make a personal donation toward the fight.
“The money we raise through these Walks goes to important research - which is our fastest way to treatment and cure - and free support services the Association provides to our community in the area,” said Gloria J.T. Smith, CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association, Florida Gulf Coast
Over 5.3 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer’s disease. In Florida, over half-a-million people are currently diagnosed; in Collier County, there are 13,000 people living with Alzheimer’s. An estimated $236 billion will be spent – in America - on care for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia this year alone. And not only are the Alzheimer’s cases growing but the costs are as well; by the year 2050, cost of care for Alzheimer’s and dementia is projected to reach over $1 trillion.
To combat this trajectory, the Alzheimer’s Association hosts over 600 Walks to End Alzheimer’s across the country to raise critically-needed research funds to eventually prevent, treat and one-day cure this disease.
