ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION INVITES SANTA BARBARA COUNTY RESIDENTS TO JOIN 2020 WALK TO END ALZHEIMER’S ON NOVEMBER 7TH

The Alzheimer’s Association is inviting Santa Barbara County residents to join the fight to end Alzheimer’s by participating in their largest signature fundraising event of the year, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s® on Saturday, October 31, 2020.

This year, to keep walkers, staff and volunteers safe, the Alzheimer’s Association is encouraging participants to walk as individuals or in small groups on sidewalks, tracks and trails across their local communities.

“This year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be everywhere,” said Lindsey Leonard, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association California Central Coast Chapter. “The pandemic is changing how we walk, but it doesn’t change the need to walk. This year, more than ever, we need to come together to support all those affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementia. With the dollars raised, the Alzheimer’s Association can continue to provide care and support to nearly 3,000 families along the Central Coast during these difficult times while also advancing critical research toward methods of treatment and prevention.”

John Dixon, owner of Tri-County Produce and board director of Alzheimer’s Association, is participating in the Santa Barbara Walk for the second year in a row in honor of his mother, Joan, who passed away after living her last five years with Alzheimer’s. “My mom was the best ever,” said John. “We had so many fun memories together through her lifetime. We also lost my grandmother to Alzheimer’s, so I am hoping we find a cure for this disease very soon.”

Leigh Cashman is walking in honor of her father and other family members and dear friends who have passed away from Alzheimer’s. As an Alzheimer’s Advocate and member of Alzheimer’s Women’s Initiative (AWI), Leigh is extremely passionate about making positive changes for increased support and research towards a cure. “I think we all have that passion to find a cure when we are hit hard with the disease,” Leigh said. “The Walk is a great opportunity to keep everyone engaged in this fight; it doesn’t end because of other things going on and we are here to make a difference.”

On Walk day, walkers will be able to view a virtual Opening Ceremony featuring Andrew Firestone and other local speakers who will be sharing their personal stories. After walking, participants are invited to safely experience the view-only Promise Flower Garden, located at the Santa Barbara Mission. Flowers will be planted in different colors, honoring the personal reasons participants join together to fight Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s National Presenting Sponsors are CVS Health and Edward Jones, which renewed its $25 million, 5-year strategic alliance with the Association.

The Santa Barbara Walk is proud to be locally sponsored by Select Sponsors: Straus Family Foundation, Casa Dorinda, Arlington Financial, Mosher Foundation, Covenant Living, Samarkand/Covenant Living; Premier Sponsors: Union Bank, Cottage Health Systems and Elite Sponsor: Central Coast Home Health and Hospice. Media sponsors include La M 103.7 and Cumulus Media: 95.1 KBBY, 100.7 KHAY, 103.3 KRUZ, Sports Radio 1450 AM, and The Vibe 106.3.

This year’s Santa Barbara Walk To End Alzheimer’s Committee includes Pam Bigelow, Mary Jo Swalley, Kathy Carrigan, Michelle Gillian, Joe Clark and Suzette Narey.

“Alzheimer’s is not taking a hiatus during COVID-19 and neither are we,” said Sonya Branco, one of the development directors for the California Central Coast Chapter. “We must continue the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, and we are working with all participants to ensure they have a powerful and moving experience that is felt when we are together. Many of our constituents are at higher risk when it comes to COVID-19 and we know that our volunteers and participants appreciate our commitment to keeping all involved healthy and safe.”

More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease – the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 16 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In California alone, there are more than 690,000 people living with the disease and 1,624,000 caregivers.

To register and receive the latest updates on this year’s Walk to End Alzheimers, visit: act.alz.org/santabarbara.

To become involved as a Walk Sponsor, Team Captain or Walk Donor, or to learn more about Alzheimer’s Association, contact Sonya Branco at sbranco@alz.org.

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.