Thousands of families, carers and supporters gathered in Tampa on Saturday 17 October for the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s, raising awareness and funds for research, care and support.
The event, held at Benchmark International Arena, formed part of the Alzheimer’s Association’s nationwide fundraising campaign. Tampa’s walk began at 8am and brought together people affected by the disease, including those living with a diagnosis and relatives remembering loved ones.
More than seven million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, including nearly 600,000 people in Florida. The disease is projected to affect almost twice as many people in the United States by 2060.
Tampa Walk to End Alzheimer’s brings families together
Among those taking part was Rich Howard-Willms, who was diagnosed about a year ago after a PET scan showed plaque developing in his brain.
He said he remained confident about his prognosis and his future, stressing that an Alzheimer’s diagnosis should not be regarded as a death sentence.
Ellen Andreu joined the walk in memory of her mother, Luann, who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2019 and died on her 68th birthday in January this year.
Andreu walked alongside friends and relatives, saying the event offered an opportunity to process the loss of her mother while standing with other families facing the effects of the disease.
The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is organised in more than 600 communities across the United States and is the Alzheimer’s Association’s largest event supporting care, research and public awareness.
The final amount raised by the Tampa walk, along with the total number of registered participants, had not been released by organisers after Saturday’s event.
