Walk to End Alzheimer’s returning to Chase Palm Park November 5

Families, friends and all those who support the vision of a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia are invited to join the Santa Barbara Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Chase Palm Park on Saturday, November 5.

On Walk day, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer’s with the poignant Promise Garden ceremony, beginning at 10 a.m. Participants receive a flower in one of four colors, representing their personal connections to the cause.

Last year, nearly 600 participants attended the Santa Barbara Walk, raising a total of $228,315 to fund the Alzheimer’s Association’s global research and local services throughout Santa Barbara County.

Currently, the Alzheimer’s Association is investing over $310 million in more than 950 projects in 48 countries, bringing forward new discoveries and developments every day.

The California Central Coast Chapter offers support groups, education programs, care consultations and a 24/7 Helpline (800.272.3900) throughout the county in both English and Spanish, all provided at no cost.

The Walk is supported by the hard work of a volunteer committee, chaired by Gabriella Garcia. Committee members include Pam Bigelow, Heather Cass, Karen Dacome, Michelle Figueroa, Jill Fonte, Amie Parrish, Hal Price, Jodi Wilson-Price, David Steinberg and Central Coast Chapter Board Chair Katina Zaninovich.

For Walk Chair Gabriella Garcia, the cause is close to heart after having been the primary caregiver for her grandfather, Jose, during his long fight with Alzheimer’s disease.

“As a young caregiver, I had to make many sacrifices, but because of those sacrifices, I learned so much about life and unconditional love,” Garcia said. “I am charing this year’s Walk to bring continued awareness to the struggle that patients and families in our community face on a daily basis, so that we can gather in a sea of purple and support each other and, of course, to keep my grandfather’s memory alive.”

In California alone, there are more than 690,000 people living with Alzheimer’s and 1.12 million family caregivers.

“Each dollar raised helps make a positive impact in the fight against this devastating disease,” said Executive Director Lindsey Leonard. “We are relying on the support of this community to show up and bring awareness to something that affects so many of us, so that we can make a difference and find a cure.” 

Register for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s at act.alz.org/santabarbara. Registration is also available in person starting at 9:00 a.m. on November 5 at Chase Palm Park by the Shipwreck Playground, located at 323 E Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. The ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m., to be followed by the five kilometer walk along East Beach. Shorter routes will also be available. 

Interested in volunteer opportunities or sponsoring this event? Contact Lindsey Leonard at lmleonard@alz.org.

The Santa Barbara Walk is proud to be supported locally by silver sponsors: Casa Dorinda, Mariposa at Ellwood Shores and Vista del Monte; bronze sponsors: BrightStar Care, Central Coast Home Health and Hospice, Cottage Health, Covenant Living at the Samarkand, Hennessy International, Inc.,The Oak Cottage of Santa Barbara and Swell Santa Barbara Athletic Club. Champions Club sponsor is Union Bank, and media sponsors include Noozhawk, Montecito Journal, 805 Living,  La M 103.7 Radio, KRUZ 103.3, NewsChannel 3-12 and KSBY.