St. Cloud Walk to End Alzheimer’s is Set for Saturday, September 21st

(KNSI) – Hundreds are expected to take a Saturday stroll around Lake George for the annual St. Cloud Walk to End Alzheimer's.

Walk manager Josh Halicke called the event essential to finding a cure. "It's really an important fundraiser to support our local programs for individuals and families, as well as to move dementia and Alzheimer's research forward."

Halicke told KNSI news that this year's theme is hope. "We're really trying to emphasize being in a hopeful era with the new treatments that can slow early stage Alzheimer's being available in research, always advancing. I think kind of hoping to portray that in a different light this year, with more of a hopeful atmosphere."

Online registration is closed but same day registration starts at 9:00 a.m. A brief ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m., and the walk starts at 10:20. Walkers can travel around the lake as many times as they'd like and are encouraged to wear purple.

So far, $78,400 of the $150,000 goal has been raised.

This year's walk will honor the Smith family. Ron Smith was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's in 2002 at the age of 44. The family became involved with the Walk to End Alzheimer's to support programs and others in the same boat. At some walks in the past, Ron would volunteer as a clown, making balloon animals to entertain children. He passed away in 2017.

In Minnesota, 102,000 people have some form of Alzheimer's or dementia. There are another 162,000 people who are considered caretakers for those loved ones. Nationwide, nearly seven million people are living with Alzheimer's, and more than 11 million family members and friends are providing care.

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