On Saturday, October 4, the first local Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be held at Wilmer Park in Chestertown. The community is encouraged to attend. There is no minimum donation required, though walkers may choose to solicit donations. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. for individuals and teams. Refreshments for walkers and live music by DJs Becky and Bob Kendall will be provided, with the ribbon-cutting at 10:20 a.m.
Organizers of the event include Heron Point, Loving Touch Home Care, Comfort Keepers, Kent County Medical Adult Day Care, Walgreens, and Washington College.
The walk is approximately one mile down the Chestertown Rail Trail to Lynchburg Street and back. Walkers may choose a shorter distance, within Wilmer Park.
Since 1989 walks have been held to raise awareness and funding for Alzheimer’s research. Last year there were 42,000 walk events throughout the country.
Kent County has the largest per capita number of deaths due to Alzheimer’s disease in the state. The Alzheimer’s Association calls it a global epidemic. Nation-wide one in three seniors will die of Alzheimer’s or another dementia. The costs of this devastating illness are all too familiar.
The organizers feel the Walk is an excellent way to raise awareness of the prevalence of Alzheimer’s in Kent County as well as the number of elderly people here and the role of caregivers. Washington College will raise awareness of the disease by serving purple foods on Friday, October 3, in the dining hall. The official color of the Alzheimer’s movement is purple. Many participants from the Heron Point community as well as from HomePorts, the local aging-in-place organization are anticipated to be at the event.
Walk registration and donations can be done the day of the event (rain or shine). If you cannot attend the walk and would like to make a donation checks may be made payable to Alzheimer’s Association and mailed to 909 Progress Circle Suite 400, Salisbury MD 21804. For more information call the Alzheimer’s Eastern Shore Office at 410-543-1163.
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