The Alzheimer's Association Rhode Island Chapter is

encouraging people of all ages to join the fight to end Alzheimer's disease by participating in the 2019 Walk to End Alzheimer's in Providence.

The annual Providence Walk begins in Roger Williams Park at the Temple of Music on Sunday, October 6. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with the walk starting at 10:00 a.m. The park is located at 1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence, RI 02907.

Serving as emcee for this year's Walk is WPRI-TV/Fox Providence News Anchor Mike Montecalvo, and the volunteer Walk Committee co-chairs are Jacqueline C. Waldon and Rob LeBlanc. The Classical High School marching band and

cheerleaders will help kick off the events. There will also be an

appearance by Joey and the Street Team from Launch Trampoline, along with games and refreshments. Leading the walk will be the Cardi's mascots, with live trumpet music along the route.

As part of each Walk, participants will honor those affected by Alzheimer's disease with "Promise Flowers" during the Promise Garden Ceremony – a moving display of hope to represent the personal reasons participants join together to fight Alzheimer's.

"It's so important that we find a cure for Alzheimer's. But in the

meantime, we must also provide support to those living with the disease and their family members and caregivers - who are often one and the same. This walk is our largest fundraiser of the year and, together with all of our walks, helps generate the dollars we need to assist those affected now and for research towards a future without Alzheimer's," says Donna M. McGowan, executive director of the Alzheimer's Association Rhode Island

Chapter.

"I am walking in the Providence Walk to End Alzheimer's to honor the family members we've lost and those currently afflicted with Alzheimer's and their caregivers. I want to be a part of the solution to end Alzheimer's disease in my lifetime. We need a cure which requires money and fundraising. We

have to keep working to raise funds and advocate until the first survivor is found," says Jacqueline C. Waldon, president of the board of directors of the Alzheimer's Association Rhode Island Chapter and a Providence Walk to End Alzheimer's co-chair.

More than five million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease – the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 16 million family members and friends provide care to people with Alzheimer's and other dementias. In Rhode Island alone, there are currently more than 23,000 people living with the disease and 53,000 caregivers.

Participants can join a team or register to walk as an individual.

Registration information can be found at alz.org/ri/walk.

Sponsors of the Providence Walk to End Alzheimer's include Edward Jones, national presenting sponsor; AARP Rhode Island, Cardi's Furniture and Mattresses, the Irene Y. Rianna Memorial Foundation, Angels Giving Back, and WPRI-12/Fox Providence.