Denton County Living Well Magazine September/October 2020 | Page 13

Walks to End
Alzheimer’s for
2020 Updated
Due to COVID
Courtesy ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION
The Alzheimer’s Association says the Sherman, Dallas, and Grandscape Walks to End
Alzheimer’s will take place as scheduled this year on September 26, October 3, and October
17 but will look different due to concerns about the COVID-19 virus.
“We are blending in-person and virtual parts in order to ensure the safety of our participants,”
says Director of Development, Jennifer Bowring. Past walks have always been a
gathering of a large group of participants who then traverse a set course. Due to COVID
concerns, that’s not possible in 2020. “Many of our constituents fall into the high risk categories
for COVID. Our primary goal is keeping everyone safe.”
The overall slogan for the 2020 Walks is “Walk to End Alzheimer’s is Everywhere.”
“This year’s Walk participants can walk almost anywhere,” says Walk Manager for the
Dallas Walk, Haley Rice. “In their neighborhoods, on walking trails, wherever they can
keep safe social distancing and always wear a mask.”
Participants ranging from families to teams to individuals will all be able to connect
through a new Walk to End Alzheimer’s phone app. This mobile app will let users not
only access information and resources from the Association, but also participate in the
Walk opening ceremony as well as follow a virtual walk path, track steps and distance,
and manage Facebook fundraisers.
“We’re very excited about the Mainstage Walk phone app,” says Danielle Brown
Tolson, Grandscape and Sherman Walk manager. “Besides linking everyone together,
walkers can also take pictures of their part of the event using commemorative stickers
and frames to post to social media.”
The new Walk to End Alzheimer’s app can be downloaded now, with new features
to be updated to it by early August. You can get links to Apple or Google downloads
here: www.tiny.cc/WalkApp
Because the 2020 Walk is tied together online, participants will see the opening
ceremony with local speakers and emcees, as well as the Promise Flowers presentation.
“The Promise Flowers are a very emotional part of the opening, where people
give their personal reasons for taking part in the Walk,” says Bowring. “The only
difference from the 2019 Walk is that this time the presentation will be available on
people’s tablets, computers, and smartphones.”
Also in the mix is the Promise Garden, where participants in the past have written
a loved one or friend’s name on a flower and set it into a mass of flowers left by
other walkers. This year, the Garden will be set up by Alzheimer’s Association staff
and volunteers and will be available in a view-only component.
“The importance of the 2020 Walk can’t be understated,” says Bowring. “Without
the crucial funds raised by the Walks, we wouldn’t be able to continue providing
all of our free services and programs to constituents. Over 400,000 Texans are
living with Alzheimer’s or related dementia.” To sign up, visit www.act.alz.org or
call the 24/7 helpline, [phone].
1 in 3
seniors dies
with Alzheimer’s
or another
dementia
Approximately
400,000
Texans have
Alzheimer’s
Texas ranks
4th in number
of Alzheimer’s
cases and 2nd in
Alzheimer’s deaths
Alzheimer’s
disease is the
5th leading
cause of
death
in the US
In the US,
someone develops
Alzheimer’s every
65 seconds
DENTON COUNTY • 11