2021 Coachella Valley Walk to End Alzheimer’s event blows past fundraising goal

Events that were put on pause due to the pandemic are back on again. The Alzheimer's Association's annual Walk to End Alzheimer's returned to Palm Desert Saturday.

The fundraising event raises awareness for both research and caregiving around the Coachella Valley. It also helps sponsor and fund programs with the Alzheimer's Association.

Hundreds of people came out Saturday to show their support for the cause, gather, and raise money.

Sylvia Baran, Walk 2021 Chair said, "The Alzheimer's Association is such an integral part of making that happen. And the other thing that's really, really, really important is the money stays a lot of the money stays here local to support our caregiving programs." Baran added, "We need to keep those free for people that are already having a hard time and that's what this money does."

The 2021 event's goal was to raise $139,000 dollars, but organizers blew through that bringing in more than $155,000 dollars as of Saturday.

We've been here present in the desert for over 23 years providing free programs to our families living with Alzheimer's and dimentia."

Cortney Weir, Alzheimer's Association Reginal Director

The Alzheimer's Association says more than 8-million caregivers across the state go unpaid each year.

Regional Director, Cortney Weir said, "Our community here has always been so supportive of the Alzheimer's Association. We've been here present in the desert for over 23 years providing free programs to our families living with Alzheimer's and dementia." Weir added, "That includes care and support programs information education, outreach referral. Of course, as a national organization, we also support funding research, advocacy, and public policy efforts." 

According to the CDC, Alzheimer's is the fifth leading cause of death for adults ages 65 and up, and the sixth leading cause of death for all adults.

In 2020, more than six-million people were living with Alzheimer's, and there's still no cure for the disease.

If you'd like to donate to the Alzheimer's Association, go to its website at www.act.alz.org.