This weekend is the start of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s

Indianapolis, Indiana – To raise money and awareness about the condition, there will be a Walk to End Alzheimer’s event. The goal for this weekend, according to the organizers, is to raise more than $1 million for ongoing scientific advancement.

Alzheimer’s disease, the nation’s top cause of mortality, affects more than 6 million Americans. In Indiana, there are 21 caregivers and more than 110,000 patients who have the disease.

The Indianapolis Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association’s executive director, Natalie Sutton, joined Daybreak to discuss Alzheimer’s, the new FDA treatment, and their next awareness-raising event.

“Just earlier this year, the drug received full FDA approval, and there is access to that treatment, which is one of the first of its kind that can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease,” Sutton said. “We do have a lot of work to do to pursue access to ensure early diagnosis and detection, which will make it possible for people to benefit from this treatment.”

Sutton added, “Our goal (for the 2023 Walk to End Alzheimer’s) is $1.27 million, and the reason those dollars are important is that they do help to advance research, also provide care and support services for people living with the disease, and help the association advocate.”

Several family-friendly events will be part of the 2023 Walk, such as a “barking lot” featuring freebies and hydration stations for the four-legged companions who battle the illness with their pet owners.

Michael A. Carroll Stadium at IUPUI will host the Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday starting at 9 a.m. Click here to sign up for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s this year.