Earl Evens to chair 2020 Walk to End Alzheimer's in Jacksonville

The Alzheimer’s Association has announced that Earl Evens, executive director of the Baptist AgeWell Institute, will serve as the event chair for the 2020 Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Jacksonville.

“It is an honor to chair the 2020 Walk to End Alzheimer’s,” Evens said. “Our region’s seniors and their families face enormous challenges in dealing with this deadly disease, as one in three seniors will die from Alzheimer’s or other dementias, and the burden on unpaid caregivers cannot be overstated.”

Evens added that he had personally witnessed the detrimental impacts of that burden within his own family.

“I watched my mother pay a heavy price with her own health after years of caregiving for my father who died from Alzheimer’s disease,” he explained. “The challenge before us is to find a cure and significantly ramp up our support for patients and their caregivers.”

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 5 million Americans are battling Alzheimer’s disease – the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. In Florida alone, there are currently more than 560,000 people living with Alzheimer’s and 1.1 million family members and friends providing those affected by the disease with unpaid care.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research programs. On Walk day, participants will gather to complete a two-mile walk and learn more about Alzheimer’s disease, advocacy opportunities, clinical studies enrollment and support programs and services from the Alzheimer’s Association. Walk participants also honor those affected by Alzheimer’s disease with the poignant Promise Garden ceremony.

Last year, with the help of sponsors like Florida Blue, the event drew nearly 1,800 attendees. This year, Evens and his team will seek to build upon that success.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the enthusiasm shown by our event chair, Earl Evens, and his involvement with this incredible event,” said Terri Cantrell, development manager for the Central and North Florida Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. “Walk to End Alzheimer’s is a pivotal part of our fundraising and awareness campaigns among the many communities just like this one across all of Florida. With the help of local participation, we can one day end the severe devastation this disease causes for so many families.”

Sponsored by the Baptist AgeWell Institute, the 2020 Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Jacksonville will take place Saturday, Nov. 7, at Hemming Park. For registration, sponsorship opportunities and additional information, visit www.alz.org/walk.