WHAT: Polk County residents will join together for Walk to End Alzheimer’s—the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research.
On Walk day, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementia like Phyllis Cole, who is living with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer’s, and couple Ross and Renee Garcia, whose fathers both have Alzheimer’s.
The morning begins with the poignant Promise Garden ceremony — where walkers will carry flowers of various colors that represent their personal connection to the disease.
For more information, visit alz.org/PolkCountyWalk.
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025
Registration begins at 8 a.m. with a ceremony at 9 a.m.. The Walk will immediately follow.
WHERE: Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland
NEWS: The 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer’s Polk County offers a great opportunity to report various Alzheimer’s-related storylines and the disease’s impact on residents, including:
- Phyllis Cole, living with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer’s
- Husband and wife Ross and Renee Garcia, whose fathers both have Alzheimer’s.
Florida has the second largest number of people living with the disease in the U.S., with over 580,000 residents estimated to have the progressive brain disease. More than 870,000 unpaid caregivers provide 24/7 support for a loved one living with Alzheimer’s. Polk County has an estimated 17,900 people or 11.8 percent over the age of 65 living with Alzheimer’s.
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.