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“Walk to end Alzheimer’s” comes to Santa Fe

By Alzheimer’s Association, New Mexico Chapter

Albuquerque, NM, July 19, 2017 – The Alzheimer’s Association, New Mexico Chapter is pleased to announce that on Saturday, August 26th, 2017, Santa Fe will host the Northern NM Regional Walk to End Alzheimer’s.  The event will take place at Santa Fe Plaza, 63 Lincoln Ave,Santa Fe, NM 87501, at 9am

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event for raising awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.  All citizens and media in Santa Fe and surrounding communities are invited to participate in this colorful and touching event.

Check-in for the event begins at 9am.  Opening Ceremony will take place at 10am, featuring Acting Cabinet Secretary Kyky Knowles (NM Aging & Long-Term Services Department) as emcee.  The event will also feature mariachis, an animal shelter adoption booth and additional entertainment.  The Walk itself begins directly after the ceremony.

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the Alzheimer’s Association’s flagship fundraiser with Walks scheduled across the country from Summer through Fall. “When participating in the Walk here in Santa Fe,” says David Davis (NE Regional Manager, Alzheimer’s Association, NM Chapter), “you help spread awareness, give hope to the community, and increase funds for research as well as community support and programs.”

Under the auspices of the Alzheimer’s Association, New Mexico Chapter, five cities in New Mexico are hosting their own Walks to End Alzheimer’s.  They include Santa Fe (8/26), Farmington (9/9), Las Cruces (10/7), Roswell (10/14) and the largest event: Albuquerque (on September 30th).

Awareness-raising events like this are increasing important as the number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease is growing – and growing fast.  Today, 5.5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, including an estimated 200,000 under the age of 65. It is the 6th leading cause of death in the US, and nearly two-thirds of those with Alzheimer’s disease – 3.3 million – are women.  Nearly one in every three seniors who dies each year has Alzheimer’s or another dementia*.

Every 66 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s dementia.  By 2050, someone in the United States will develop Alzheimer’s dementia every 33 seconds.  By that same year, as many as 16 million will have the disease.

Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s is the most expensive disease in America.  The cost of caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias is estimated to total $259 billion in 2017, increasing to $1.1 trillion by mid-century.

Alzheimer’s takes a devastating toll – not just on those with the disease, but on entire families.   In our own state, 38,000 New Mexicans are suffering from Alzheimer’s.  They are cared for by 106,000 unpaid caregivers, many of whom are members of their own families.

If you need help, call us: The Alzheimer’s Association, New Mexico Chapter offers many free services and resources to caregivers and families facing the disease: support groups, care consultations, respite, educational presentations, safety programs, information and referral and more.  Contact any of our 5 branch offices in the state:  Albuquerque (Main Office) (505) 266-4473, Santa Fe (Northeastern New Mexico) (505) 473-1297, Farmington (Northwestern New Mexico) (505) 326-3670, Roswell (Southeastern New Mexico) (575) 624-1552 and Las Cruces (Southwestern New Mexico) (575) 647-3868.

You can also call our 24/7 Helpline anytime, day or night for support or for more information: 1-800-272-3900.

*Source for all statistics: The 2017 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report atwww.alz.org/facts.

About the Alzheimer’s Association®

The Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’scare, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease 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. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. Visit www.alz.org or call 800.272.3900.

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