2020 Walk to End Alzheimer's Looks Different

The 2020 Walk to End Alzheimer’s—Albany will take place on Sept. 26, raising awareness and funds for dementia care, support and research.

The event, which attracted nearly 1,500 participants and raised more than $300,000 in 2019, will look different this year. Instead of hosting a large gathering, participants will walk as individuals or in small groups of friends and family on sidewalks, tracks and trails across the Capital Region including Albany, Saratoga and Rensselaer counties.

The Walk is co-chaired by Judy Pinsonnault of Rensselaer and Denise Czerpak of Gansevoort. “Dementia is not taking a hiatus during COVID-19 and neither can we. This year, more than ever, we need to come together to support all those affected,” said Pinsonnault.

On Walk Day, Sept. 26, at 10:30 a.m., the opening ceremony will be delivered to participants' smartphones, tablets and computers.

On the same day, a group of Alzheimer’s Association staff and volunteers will create the iconic Promise Garden to honor all those impacted by dementia in a “view only” and “drive-by” format. The Promise Garden will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Halfmoon Town Park (162 NY-236, Clifton Park, NY 12065).

Every year on Walk day, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer's or another dementia with blue, yellow, purple and orange Promise Garden Flowers. These flowers highlight the different reasons for taking part in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The blue flower represents people like Gino Bureau who are living with dementia. Gino was diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease when he was 57 and at the height of his career as a physical therapy supervisor. He serves on the Alzheimer’s Association, Northeastern New York Chapter’s board of directors. He is also a top fundraiser for the 2020 Walk to End Alzheimer’s-- Albany. The yellow flower represents people who care for their loved ones living with dementia. The purple flower represents people like Lori Gardner who lost their loved ones to Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Gardner, whose mother died earlier this year, is a volunteer committee member for the Walk in Albany. The orange flower represents people like Jen Pettis of Clifton Park who support the Association’s vision of a world without Alzheimer’s and all dementia. A member of the Chapter’s advisory board, Pettis also serves as the Association’s ambassador to Sen. Chuck Schumer (D—N.Y.).

In New York State alone, there are more than 410,000 people who live with the disease and more than 1 million caregivers who provide unpaid care to their loved ones with dementia.

The Walk in Albany is supported by national presenting sponsors Edward Jones and CVS Health (or Aetna/Omnicare) and local presenting sponsor The Kerry Crew Charitable Gift Fund. To register and receive the latest updates on this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, visit: alz.org/walk.