Annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s Is Sept. 10

Door County’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s in 2021. Photo courtesy of the Alzheimer’s Association Wisconsin Chapter.

In Sturgeon Bay’s Graham Park on Sept. 10, Walk to End Alzheimer’s participants will walk two miles to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association.

This year’s fundraising goal is $15,000, and Cari Josephson, director of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Door County, expects that number will be met or exceeded. As of Aug. 30, according to the organization’s website, there were 57 participants and 10 teams registered to walk, with $11,077 raised toward the goal.

The funds support the Alzheimer’s Association, a national nonprofit that researches Alzheimer’s disease and organizes walks in more than 600 communities nationwide. For those affected by Alzheimer’s in the Door County community, the organization offers support groups and education sessions, which, Josephson said, are necessary because the disease is so widespread. 

“It’s really hard, unfortunately, to find someone who hasn’t been touched by the disease in one way or another,” she said. 

Still, a level of stigma surrounds Alzheimer’s, so in addition to raising money, Josephson said the walk event aims to raise awareness about the condition.

“It really is important that people come out, come share their story, talk about how it affects them and how they support our vision for a world without Alzheimer’s,” Josephson said.

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s will open Sept. 10, 8:30 am, in Graham Park, 10 Pennsylvania St. in Sturgeon Bay. A ceremony will take place at 9:40 am, and the walk will begin at 10 am. Individuals and teams planning to walk in person must register at act.alz.org/doorcounty, and a remote option is also available through the walk’s app. Find out more at act.alz.org.