Pictured are several of the participants from the 2018 Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s in St. Ignace. (Courtesy photo)

ST. IGNACE –The Alzheimer’s Association is inviting St. Ignace-area residents to join the fight to end Alzheimer’s by participating in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Mackinac Straits Health System on Sept. 29.

This year’s event is being planned outdoors at the St. Ignace Campus, near the Evergreen Living Center. The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is moving forward with plans to host the event in person this fall.

The health and safety of participants, volunteers and staff remain the association’s top priorities while continuing to monitor the pandemic and make decisions about event details in local communities,” officials said in a news release.

While planning to gather in person, the Alzheimer’s Association will continue to offer options to participate in Walk to End Alzheimer’s online and in neighborhoods across the country.

“Alzheimer’s is not taking a hiatus during COVID-19 and neither are we,” said Alzheimer’s Association Michigan Chapter President and CEO Jennifer Lepard in a news release. “We must continue Walk to End Alzheimer’s, and we are working with all participants to ensure they have a powerful and moving experience that is felt when we are together. Many of our constituents are at higher risk when it comes to COVID-19 and we know that our volunteers and participants appreciate our commitment to keeping all involved healthy and safe.”

The St. Ignace Walk to End Alzheimer’s brings together individuals and teams from across the eastern Upper Peninsula. Over the last three years, the St. Ignace Walk has raised $10,000 for Alzheimer’s and dementia care, support and critical research, organizers said.

While the event doesn’t take place until Sept. 29, organizing is in full swing and Alzheimer’s Association officials say they need support from the community to have the largest impact.

“Due to the circumstances involving all of us throughout this pandemic, our focus has certainly been strained over the last 16 months. It is important, however, that we don’t forget how the lives of those with Alzheimer’s are still being affected every day, even more so because of coronavirus,” said Lani Fettig, recreational therapist and dementia practitioner at the Evergreen Living Center, in the release. “This virus has changed how they are able to receive their care, how they are able to spend time with loved ones, and how they are able to get education and support about the disease among many other challenges. We are so thankful for the support people are giving these individuals and their families.”

More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, which 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 dementias. In Michigan alone, there are more than 190,000 people living with the disease and 463,000 caregivers, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

To register and receive the latest updates on this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, visit: alz.org/walk.