Walk to End Alzheimer’s is Sept. 8

LITCHFIELD — Litchfield area radio listeners know them well. Dale Jones of FM 97.3 WZBG and Jacque Anthony Williams of WAPJ 89.9 FM are teaming up to emcee the Litchfield Walk to End Alzheimer’s on September 8th. Dale Jones is walking in memory of two people he lost to dementia — his wife’s grandmother and his friend of 30 years. Jacque Anthony Williams honors his uncle who died of Alzheimer’s.

“Alzheimer’s is very unique in that every day, you become more and more disconnected,” Williams said. “This walk is a great opportunity to build awareness for something that has touched so many lives.”

According to Jones, “New research that shows lifestyle improvements can be effective in potentially preventing this disease is encouraging. It means we are in the driver’s seat and may be able to fight Alzheimer’s before it happens.”

More than 500 people are expected at the 2019 Litchfield Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The event will be held at the White Memorial Conservation Center, Whitehall Road off Route 202. Registration is at 11:30 a.m., the program starts at 12:30 p.m. and the walk begins at 1 p.m.

Town of Litchfield First Selectman Leo Paul will serve as Honorary Chair for the funfilled day, that will include a Zumba warmup, the American Legion Post #20 from Plymouth, a band of musiciandoctors dubbed “Maximum Dosage”, WaterOak Indians Pop Warner Cheerleaders, a Kid Zone, Champions tent, Blue Promise garden flower area for people with the disease and their caregivers, and four food trucks with snacks for purchase.

There are 78 thousand people in Connecticut living with Alzheimer’s and 178 thousand caregivers. Money raised at the Walk to End Alzheimer’s will help the Connecticut chapter serve more people with dementia, their caregivers and others in the community by providing outreach, education, support groups, advocacy and research.

There is no registration fee to attend the Litchfield Walk to End Alzheimer’s, however if you raise $100, you get a Walk tshirt. Start or join a team here: act.alz.org/walkLitchfield. This year’s event is cochaired by Amber Chapman and Nanette Bergin.

Thank you to our Walk to End Alzheimer’s Statewide Elite sponsor Standard Oil & Security Systems and our Statewide Select sponsors Apple Rehab, Benchmark Senior Living, Companions & Homemakers, Masonicare and Nutmeg State Financial Credit Union. To join us at one of the seven Walks to End Alzheimer’s this fall in Connecticut, go to alz.org/walk.

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's 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. For more information, visit the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org or call the 24/7 helpline at 8002723900.