Walkers raise over $250K to fight Alzheimer’s disease in Rochester

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Over a thousand walkers raised $250,000 Saturday morning at Frontier Field in Rochester’s annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s disease.

The walk that supports Rochester and the Finger Lakes Region kicked off at Frontier Field. Each walker carried a Promise Garden Flower, and the color they choose represents their connection to the disease.

"Today we’re celebrating being together. It has been a long year with the pandemic, we didn’t walk in person at Frontier Field last year, so it’s great to be back here," said Maureen McGuire, chair of Walk to End Alzheimer’s. "The walk to end Alzheimer’s is a tradition in Rochester, we’ve been doing it for years now. It’s a nationwide event, and it’s really crucial to the mission to the local chapters."

A blue flower means they’re living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia, purple is for those who have lost someone to the disease, yellow is for someone who’s supporting or caring for a person living with Alzheimer’s and orange is for those who support the cause and the association’s vision of a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.

The walk raises awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research to find a cure to the disease.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than six million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease — a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia.

If you couldn’t make it out to the walk this morning, you can still donate here.

The next Walk to End Alzheimer’s disease is on Oct. 14 in Watkins Glen. Walkers can register for that event here.