Walk to End Alzheimer's to raise awareness and funds for care, support and research

This fall in the Fox Valley, the Alzheimer's Association will host two Walks to End Alzheimer's.

• The first walk will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at Pottawatomie Park, 8 North Ave. in St. Charles.

Nearly 800 people from the Kane County area are expected to participate in this year's 2.5-mile walk. So far, the Kane County walk has raised $40,452 toward a goal of $173,000.

To register, visit alz.org/walk. Registration will begin that day at 8:30 a.m. with a ceremony at 9:30 a.m. For details, contact Mary Sorensen at (815) 272-2010 or msorensen@alz.org.

• The second walk will be at 10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 8, at Lippold Park, 851 Route 176 in Crystal Lake.

More than 500 people from the McHenry County area are expected to join in this year's 3.2-mile walk. So far, the McHenry County walk has raised $20,834 toward a goal of $115,000.

To register, visit alz.org/walk. Registration will begin that day at 8 a.m. with a ceremony at 9:30 a.m. For details, contact Melyssa Johnson at (815) 977-9125 or mejohnson@alz.org.

Walk participants will learn about Alzheimer's disease, advocacy opportunities, clinical studies enrollment and support programs and services from the Alzheimer's Association.

Participants also will join in a meaningful tribute ceremony to honor those affected by Alzheimer's disease.

In Illinois alone, there are more than 220,000 people living with the disease and more than 588,000 caregivers. In the United States, more than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease, the sixth-leading cause of death in and the only disease among the top 10 causes that cannot be cured, prevented or even slowed. Additionally, more than 15 million family and friends provide care to people with Alzheimer's and other dementias.

Register today. Sign up as a team captain, join a team or register to walk as an individual at alz.org/walk.

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.

The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's research, care and support. Its mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Visit alz.org or call (800) 272-3900.