KAPA‘A — There is still time to register for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s presented by local volunteers for the Alzheimer’s Association.
Registration can be done online at alz.org/kauaiwalk, or late registrations can be done Saturday from 7 a.m. at the Kapa‘a Beach Park where the walk will take place. Opening ceremonies are scheduled to start at 8 a.m.
On Walk day Saturday, participants in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s honor those affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias through the Promise Garden ceremony that precede the walk along Ke Ala Hele Makala‘e, or the multi-use path in Kapa‘a. The colors of the Promise Garden flowers represent people’s connection to Alzheimer’s and their personal reasons to end the disease.
In Hawai‘i, there are more than 29,000 people living with the disease, and 65,000 people are caregivers.
“There are so many families within our tight-knit community who have either a loved one, family member, or friend that is living with Alzheimer’s, or has succumbed to the disease,” said Kaulana Mossman, the co-chair of the Kaua‘i walk, and Morgan Lopez, the chair of the Kaua‘i event. “We cannot rest on our laurels but continue to support initiatives and enhance resources to eliminate Alzheimer’s once and for all.”
More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, one of the 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.
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.
