OCALA, FL. (352Today)  – Kerry Eck walks for his Dad living with Alzheimer’s. No matter who someone walks for, they all share in the hope for a cure to Alzheimer’s and other dementia, the mission of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Residents can join Eck and others for Walk to End Alzheimer’s Ocala on Saturday, Sept. 27 at Tuscawilla Park, 829 NE Sanchez Ave. Registration begins at 9 a.m., followed by the flower ceremony at 10 a.m. and then the Walk begins. The event is dog friendly. 

“I am fundraising for myself based on my family history,” Eck said. “I want to get more people engaged and put more out there in the community. I have hope for a cure.”

More than 7 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s. An estimated 11 million family members and friends provide unpaid care for those affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In Florida, over 580,000 people are living with the disease, supported by more than 870,000 unpaid caregivers. In Marion County, an estimated 12,600 residents over age 65 — or 11.5 percent of the population — are living with Alzheimer’s.

On Walk day, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer’s with the poignant Promise Garden ceremony — a mission-focused experience that signifies our solidarity in the fight against the disease. During the ceremony, walkers will carry flowers of various colors, each color representing their personal connection to the disease. 

This year Walk’s national presenting sponsor is Edward Jones and the local presenting sponsor is Renstar Medical Research.

To register and receive the latest updates for this year’s Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s Ocala, visit Alz.org/OcalaWalk or contact Kristin McWhorter at 678-316-3458 or kkmcwhorter@alz.org. 

Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s®

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. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s. 

Alzheimer’s Association®

The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to  Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Its mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.