5 reasons Birmingham’s 2019 Walk to End Alzheimer’s was a smashing success
Reading time: 4 minutes
Sponsored
The Alzheimer’s Association’s 2019 Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise funds for Alzheimer’s research, and this year was no different. Over a thousand supporters showed up to walk through downtown Birmingham. Learn more about this special event.
1) The 2019 Walk to End Alzheimer’s completely surpassed their fundraising goal
The goal of the Walk is to raise money for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research.
- Goal: $275,000
- Money raised: $291,581 (and climbing!)
Top 5 individual fundraisers
- Katelyn George: raised $12,810
- Dana Travis: raised $12,690
- Michelle Lorino: raised $11,251
- Barbara Williams: raised $8,010
- Jenni Beall: raised $6,567
Top 5 team fundraisers
- Sitty’s Angels: raised $89,369
- In Memory of Yiayia & Mimi: raised $25,000
- Grace 4 Her: raised $14,445
- The Memory Lane: raised $12,436
- UAB Sigma Kappa: raised $7,599
2) Birmingham turned out big time
As you can see by the huge crowd, Birmingham really turned out to support the mission of the Alzheimer’s Association.
- 1,151 participants from Birmingham and the surrounding area
- 144 teams dedicated to raising money
Additionally, Alabama Senator Doug Jones took a moment to explain his reasons for supporting the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Since his father suffers from the disease, Senator Jones is passionate about the effort to find the cure.
Senator Jones was an original co-sponsor of the Younger-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Act, which allows individuals with younger-onset Alzheimer’s who are under 60 years of age access to support services under the Older Americans Act. Additionally, he supported the Improving HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act, which educates clinicians on Alzheimer’s and dementia care planning services through Medicare.
3) The Promise Garden showed how important the Walk is
During the event, registered walkers received a Promise Garden flower. The color of the flower corresponds to the connection each individual has with the disease:
- Blue represents walkers who are living with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
- Purple represents walkers who have lost a loved one to Alzheimer’s or dementia.
- Yellow represents walkers who are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
- Orange represents walkers who want to see a world without Alzheimer’s or dementia.
- White represents the first survivor of Alzheimer’s, which we do not have yet.
Just before the walk started, the leaders asked the walkers to raise their Promise Flowers. Seeing the field of flowers held high represented how important the Walk to End Alzheimer’s truly is.
4) Four-legged walkers came out to support the mission
Humans weren’t the only supporters out at the 2019 Walk to End Alzheimer’s! Several of man’s best friends came out for a nice walk through Birmingham.
Although it was a warm day, the spray mists were a cool treat for many of the dogs. Just look at how happy he is!
5) There is still time to make your donation!
All funds raised through the Walk go to further the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association.
As the Alzheimer’s Association is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, all donations are tax-deductible!
You can donate online on the Walk to End Alzheimer’s website.
Did you join us on the 2019 Walk to End Alzheimer’s? Share your pics and experience by tagging @BhamNow !
Sponsored by:
