Memory Walk For Alzheimer’s

HARTFORD — Six locations across the state have been selected for the 11th annual Memory Walk of the Alzheimer’s Association, Connecticut Chapter. The walk will be held on Sunday, October 5, beginning at 10 am.

Walks will be held in Hartford at Bushnell Park, in New Haven at Lighthouse Point Park, in New London at Mitchell College, in Norwalk at Calf Pasture Beach, in Storrs on the UConn campus, and in Watertown at Veterans Memorial Park.

Memory Walk is the major fundraiser for the statewide organization that seeks to support and educate persons with Alzheimer’s, their caretakers, and professionals in the field and also to contribute toward research efforts to combat and ultimately cure the devastating disease.

The goal of the walks this year is $500,000.

“As the baby boomer generation ages, numbers of those afflicted by Alzheimer’s will increase until we find a way to combat and cure the illness,” said Lynda B. Moecker, president, Alzheimer’s Association, Connecticut Chapter. “The pressure is on. We need to increase support for research, for those who have the disease, for caregivers, and for professionals in the field. A large universe is affected. We need all the help we can get.”

Individual walkers and teams can register now by calling the association toll-free at 866-363-6679, ext 12. Walks can be from 1.5 miles to three miles in length and walkers may participate in memory of or to honor a loved one, as well as to support the organization as a whole. Companies, faith communities, and groups of friends or neighbors are all encouraged to participate and help raise money to combat the devastating disease.

The Alzheimer’s Association, Connecticut Chapter, sponsors support groups throughout the state for caregivers and for persons with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia; provides educational programs for professionals; supports a 24-hour helpline; provides respite care funds for caregivers; trains professionals in safe return of a person with Alzheimer’s who has wandered; and supports research.