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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nAviles will join hundreds of others impacted by the progressive brain disease to share in the hope to end Alzheimer\u2019s and all other dementia, the mission of the Alzheimer\u2019s Association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe walk because we must continue to fund research to seek new solutions,\u201d Aviles said. \u201cBecause of funding from the Alzheimer\u2019s Association, we have seen leaps in understanding, but more work is needed. We can not let this disease continue to take our loved ones.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Join Aviles and other residents on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, for the Walk to End Alzheimer\u2019s Polk County at Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Boulevard, in Lakeland. Registration begins at 8 a.m., followed by a ceremony at 9 a.m. The Walk will immediately follow. The route is 1.6 miles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
November is National Alzheimer\u2019s Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month. The Alzheimer\u2019s Association marks these events by recognizing and honoring all those impacted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease in the United States. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer\u2019s and other dementias.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Polk County has an estimated 17,900 people or 11.8 percent of residents over the age of 65 living with Alzheimer’s. In Florida, there are more than 580,000 people living with the disease and 840,000 unpaid dementia caregivers. <\/p>\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nNew treatments to help slow down the progression of the disease have been approved as recently as July and are giving families hope for the first time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aviles has been a longtime Walk volunteer and has hope for the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNew treatments that slow the progression of Alzheimer\u2019s have given us the first glimmers of hope for a future where no one has to worry about losing all they are to this terrible disease,\u201d Aviles said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Walk day, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer\u2019s with the poignant Promise Garden ceremony \u2014 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The event\u2019s local presenting sponsors are Florida Southern College; Lakeland Regional Health; Mary E. Tye; and Publix Super Markets Charities. Edward Jones is the national presenting sponsor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To register and receive the latest updates for this year\u2019s Alzheimer\u2019s Association Walk to End Alzheimer\u2019s\u00ae, visit Alz.org\/PolkCountyWalk<\/a> or contact Shree Chamberlain at sschamberlain@alz.org<\/a> or 863.279.9350 for more information. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer\u2019s<\/strong>\u00ae<\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Alzheimer\u2019s Association Walk to End Alzheimer\u2019s <\/sup>is the world\u2019s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer\u2019s care, support and research. Since 1989, the Alzheimer\u2019s Association mobilized millions of Americans in the Alzheimer\u2019s Association Memory Walk\u00ae<\/sup>; now the Alzheimer\u2019s Association is continuing to lead the way with Walk to End Alzheimer\u2019s. Together, we can end Alzheimer\u2019s. <\/p>\n\n\n\n