Wave Staff Report
LOS ANGELES — The Alzheimer’s Association is inviting residents to join the fight to end Alzheimer’s by participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Nov. 5 at the Los Angeles Zoo, 5333 Zoo Drive.
The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research, a spokesperson said.
The walk begins with the Promise Garden ceremony with the colors of the Promise Garden flowers representing people’s connections to Alzheimer’s.
“We are laser focused on putting an end to this progressive fatal disease,” said Meg Barron, regional leader and executive director of the California Southland Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. “So many of our loved ones are living with Alzheimer’s. The money raised will go a long way in funding the research we need to find a cure,”
More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease — a leading cause of death in the United States — according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
Among Black Americans ages 70 and older, 21.3% are living with Alzheimer’s. Older Black Americans are twice as likely as older whites to have Alzheimer’s or another dementia, but research hasn’t identified the cause.
In California alone, there are more than 690,000 people living with the disease and 1.12 million caregivers.
To register, visit alz.org/walk.
