Thousands expected at Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk
Mount Mary College will be the setting for the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk® on Sat., Oct. 2. Nearly 2,500 people from the Milwaukee metro area are expected to participate in this year’s event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research. In 2009, the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walks in Southeastern Wisconsin raised over $500,000, over $300,000 was raised at the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk in Milwaukee.
The 2010 event in Milwaukee will be kicked-off by Shawn Patrick, FOX 6 WakeUp News; Victoria Yokum, of Family Blend, will sing the National Anthem. Pre walk events will include Tom Gill’s Rhythm for Unity drumming circle, a Zumba Fitness class, Wauwatosa police and fire dogs, the Klement’s Sausages, face painting, a stilt walker, and live music. The Tom Anthony Group will perform on the main stage during the postwalk celebration and hot dog cookout, compliments of Sammy’s Taste of Chicago and Custom Cuts.
ABOUT MEMORY WALK
The Alzheimer’s Association’s Memory Walk is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research. Held annually in hundreds of communities across the country, this inspiring event calls on volunteers of all ages to become Champions in the fight against Alzheimer’s. Champions include those living with the disease, families, caregivers, corporate and local leaders, who actively support Memory Walk in the community. The Alzheimer’s Association has hosted/will host six Memory Walks in the following area communities: Oconomowoc (9/11), Lake Geneva (9/18), Kohler (9/25), Fond du Lac (10/2), Kenosha (10/2) and Milwaukee (10/2).
HOW TO REGISTER & PARTICIPATE
Participants can register online and get information at www.alz.org/sewi. For a brochure, please call 414.479.8800. On-site registration is also available the day of each walk, beginning at 9:30 a.m. (9:00 a.m. for Fond du Lac). The walks begin promptly at 11:00 a.m.
LEADERSHIP
The event is being cochaired by Sheri Ihlenfeldt and Jan Schiebenes, and supported by a committee of community leaders and staff from the local Alzheimer’s Association chapter. Both Ihlenfeldt and Schiebenes became involved because they have experienced Alzheimer’s disease firsthand; both had parents with the disease; and have been active volunteers at the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk for numerous years. Sheri Ihlenfeldt is available for interview on the day of the walk.
SPONSORS
Key sponsors of this event include Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital, the Cordon Family Foundation, The Mueller Family, Brookdale Senior Living and PyraMax Bank. The event is being presented by FOX6 News, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Newsradio AM620 WTMJ and 89.7 WUWM. A complete sponsorship list is available at www.alz.org/sewi under “Memory Walk”.
ABOUT THE ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, 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.
For more information about Alzheimer’s disease and local services visit www.alz.org/sewi or call the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900.
