By SDCN Staff
San Diego, CA–Local nonprofit Alzheimer’s San Diego hosted its largest annual fundraiser, Walk4ALZ, at Balboa Park on October 18, uniting more than 1,500 community members for a morning of celebration, fundraising, and festivities, all in support of local individuals and families impacted by dementia.
Organizers say they’ve raised just over $390,000, and every dollar stays right here to help San Diego County residents affected by dementia.
“Once again, Walk4ALZ was a morning filled with celebration, excitement, and purpose. Hundreds of community members came together to raise funds and awareness for our neighbors living with the challenges of dementia,” says Alzheimer’s San Diego president and CEO Eugenia Welch. “At Alzheimer’s San Diego, we see firsthand the impact dementia has on individuals and families. We know stigma around cognitive decline exists across cultures, and the way to overcome it is through communication and connection. By talking openly about Alzheimer’s and dementia, we can promote prevention, early detection, effective treatments, and, most importantly, remind those living with the disease that they are never alone.”
Before and after the walk, participants enjoyed a festival area with music, activities for kids, adults, and pets, as well as health and wellness booths and information resource tables from collaboration partners who host dementia and senior support groups alongside Alzheimer’s San Diego. While Alzheimer’s remains incurable, early detection can significantly improve treatment options, caregiver support, and planning for legal and financial matters. There were several booths for walk teams where they could gather to reunite and prepare their bibs and signs with the names of loved ones they were walking for, before embarking on a 2.75 mile walk throughout iconic Balboa Park.
Longtime walkers like Linda Cioffi now travel in from the East Coast to participate annually in Walk4ALZ. “People ask me, ‘How much have you raised?’ My response is always, ‘Not enough,’” says Cioffi, who is the captain for “Team Quest for the Cure.” “I lost my grandmother to this disease, and watched my incredible mother slowly vanish over time because of it. We’ll have raised enough money when Alzheimer’s disease is just a memory of the past.” “Team Quest for the Cure” has been among the top fundraising teams for Walk4ALZ for many years. This year, they raised $10,200.
Unlike many awareness walks, registration for Walk4ALZ was completely free and open to all, and every dollar raised by fundraising teams and individual walkers stays in San Diego County. The highest fundraising team was “The Men Remember,” who raised $110,000 for this year’s Walk4ALZ. A top fundraising team for years, “The Men Remember” is made up of an all-male support group with Alzheimer’s San Diego, each member caring for his spouse living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.
This year’s Walk4ALZ raised over $390,000 to support local San Diegans and their families affected by dementia. And although Walk4ALZ is over, there’s still time to donate through Nov. 30 at alzsd.org/walk.
According to the County of San Diego, Alzheimer’s was the fifth leading cause of death in our region in 2023. Many seniors in San Diego, 60 and older, may not even realize potential risk factors that lead to Alzheimer’s and dementia, which include poor nutrition, reduced physical activity, and hearing loss.
Currently, more than 100,000 people are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another dementia in San Diego County, with that number expected to grow to 115,000 by 2030. We know that the number of those who are living without a diagnosis makes that number even higher. An estimated 300,000 unpaid caregivers in the region are helping individuals with the disease. For nearly 10 years, Alzheimer’s San Diego not only provided support and resources to its clients with dementia, but also provided one-on-one support, educational classes, and support groups to local caregivers in need of assistance.
All proceeds from Walk4ALZ will benefit Alzheimer’s San Diego’s free programs and services, including social activities, family consultations, and support groups. These programs are offered in both English and Spanish, ensuring language is never a barrier to receiving help.
To learn more about Alzheimer’s San Diego, visit alzsd.org or call (858) 492-4400 Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
