Orange County Walks Set Pace in Fight Against Alzheimer’s

IRVINE, Calif. - Sept. 14, 2015 - PRLog -- For the past two years, Megan Day has united with thousands at the annual Orange County Walks to End Alzheimer’s (http://act.alz.org/site/PageServer?pagename=walk_homepage), waving a yellow Promise Garden flower in recognition of her support for her beloved grandmother, who lived with the debilitating, life-altering disease known as Alzheimer’s.

This year will be different for Day. In the upcoming 2015 Walks to End Alzheimer’s, she will carry a purple flower, the color designated to remember those who have lost their lives to the disease. Day’s grandmother succumbed to Alzheimer’s last year.

Whether walkers carry yellow (to represent their support or care for someone with Alzheimer’s), purple (to honor a lost loved one to the disease), orange (to symbolize their support for the cause and vision of a world without Alzheimer’s) or blue (to represent their personal battles with Alzheimer’s), the bottom line is the same: this disease affects so many and the numbers are escalating.

“My grandmother's fight with this disease is now over and unfortunately she lost the battle – along with 500,000 other Alzheimer’s patients,” said Day. “There are simply no survivors because there is no cure, but fortunately, there is hope.”

Alzheimer’s Association, Orange County (http://www.alz.org/oc/) (AAOC) is hosting three separate 2015 Walks to End Alzheimer’s events across Orange County this fall to raise awareness and funds by mobilizing community members in the fight against this tragic disease. Interested supporters can attend the no-cost walks on the following dates/locations:

·         Saturday, Oct. 24 – Laguna Niguel Regional Park, 28241 La Paz Rd, Laguna Niguel

·         Saturday, Nov. 7 – Huntington Beach, 21500 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach

·         Saturday, Nov. 14 – Angel Stadium of Anaheim, 2000 East Gene Autry Way, Anaheim

“Our Walks to End Alzheimer’s bring the Orange County community together to create hope for a world where, one day, no one will suffer from the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s,” said Jim McAleer, president and CEO of Alzheimer’s Association, Orange County. “Both my grandmothers were afflicted with this disease so it’s very close to my heart. I am passionate about this cause and I encourage everyone to join us, as a walker and a donor.”

Alzheimer’s disease currently affects nearly 85,000 Orange County residents and is the fourth leading cause of death locally. Each year, AAOC unites the community to create hope for a world without Alzheimer’s at annual Walks to End Alzheimer’s, the world’s largest event raising awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care, support and research.

Orange County residents are encouraged to form teams or walk as individuals. Check-in and festival areas open at 7 a.m. for each walk and are followed by inspiring opening ceremonies at 8:30 a.m. The two-mile walk at each location will start at 9 a.m.

The Anaheim Walk at Angel Stadium of Anaheim will conclude the Orange County Walk to End Alzheimer’s series, and has been nationally ranked among the top 30 Walks to End Alzheimer’s. This year’s walk will feature a special performance by the winner of the Song for Alzheimer’s (http://www.alz.org/oc/in_my_community_101165.asp) musical competition, to be announced in October.

At the Walks, attendees can visit the expo at each location and learn more about the disease, available support programs, services for families and caregivers, clinical trial enrollment opportunities, support groups and more. Teams are invited to wear creative team costumes and also may compete in the “make-your-own team sign” contest. Walkers are encouraged to fundraise for the event they choose and those who raise a minimum of $100 by Walk day will receive a purple 2015 Walk to End Alzheimer’s shirt. Food trucks also will be onsite, and will donate a portion of their proceeds to the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

For additional information and to register, visit www.alz.org/oc/walk.

About Alzheimer’s Association, Orange County

The Alzheimer's Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Its mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Since 1982, Alzheimer’s Association, Orange County has been providing programs and services, free of charge, to Orange County residents with Alzheimer’s and related disorders, their families, caregivers, and the community. Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative illness that weakens the memory and other cognitive and emotional functions. For more information, call the 24/7 Helpline at 1-800-272-3900, or visit www.alz.org/oc. Find AAOC on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ALZOC) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/OCAlzheimers).