The Alzheimer’s Association is inviting Columbus area residents to join the fight to end Alzheimer’s and other dementias by participating in the 2022 Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Oct. 2 at the Bartholomew County Fairgrounds in Columbus.

Pre-walk activities will begin at 12:30 p.m. The Promise Garden ceremony will be at 1:45 p.m., and the walk will follow immediately after that.

On walk day, participants will honor those affected by Alzheimer’s disease with Promise Flowers during the Promise Garden Ceremony, a display of hope to represent the personal reasons participants join together to fight Alzheimer’s.

A blue flower indicates the participant is currently living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. Yellow flowers signify Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers. Those carrying purple flowers have lost someone to the disease. Finally, participants with orange flowers support the association’s vision of a world without Alzheimer’s.

The walk is designed to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. In 2021, the walk in Columbus raised more than $94,000.

“Our ultimate goal is to end this disease, and the way that we do that is through research,” said Julie Moore, director of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Greater Indiana Chapter. “In the meantime, we offer free care and support to those affected, including a Helpline that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for immediate assistance with everything from caregiver stress to legal and financial decisions. It’s an incredibly valuable resource, and the Walk to End Alzheimer’s helps make it possible.”

More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In Indiana, there are 110,000 people living with the disease and 216,000 caregivers.

Registration for the 2022 Walk to End Alzheimer’s is free and available at alz.org/Indiana/walk.

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Columbus is supported by Nationwide Presenting Sponsors Edward Jones and CVS with additional support from Chapterwide Sponsor Trilogy Health Services.