Cedar Rapids Walk To End Alzheimer’s Changes Course for 2020

With the message that "Alzheimer’s is not taking a hiatus during COVID-19 and neither are we", Tina Gossman, who is Development Specialist for the Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter outlines plans in a media release received by e-mail for this year's annual Walk to End Alzheimer's in Cedar Rapids August 29.

Due to the pandemic, they say, "this year's walk is everywhere". Instead of hosting a large, centralized event, they're asking participants to do something different: individually or with your own small circle of friends, family or co-workers, do the walk on the tracks, trails, or sidewalks in your own neighborhoods.

On Walk day, an Opening Ceremony will be delivered, featuring local speakers and a presentation of Promise Flowers to honor the personal reasons participants join together to fight Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. Walkers can watch these presentations via smartphones, tablets or computers.

A handful of Alzheimer’s Association staff and volunteers will create the iconic Promise Garden in a “view only” format on Walk day at the Wedding Garden in the NewBo City Market to honor all those impacted by Alzheimer’s

Other virtual elements as part of this year's Walk to End Alzheimers' include the "Walk Mainstage" to track your steps and distance, follow a virtual Walk path, manage your Facebook fundraisers, and access information and resources from the Association and Walk sponsors.

There's even an audio track to encourage participants along the way and congratulate them upon completion.

You or someone you love may be among the more than 66,000 people in Iowa who are living with Alzheimer's/dementia or the 136,000 people caring for them. Across the country, it remains the sixth-leading cause of death, which shows why the need for awareness and funds to fight it are greater than ever.

To register and learn about this year's "virtual" Walk to End Alzheimer's, being held August 29 in Cedar Rapids, click here.