2020 San Angelo Walk to End Alzheimer's Goes Virtual

SAN ANGELO, TX — Even though the coronavirus pandemic has brought along many changes to everyday life, community events have found ways to adjust.

The San Angelo Walk to End Alzheimer’s will go on as scheduled on Saturday, September 12, it will just look different than in past years.

In previous years the event welcomed a large group of participants who walked a set course. The 2020 event will allow participants to walk almost everywhere as long as they can social distance and wear a mask.

“The pandemic is changing how we walk, but it doesn’t change the need to walk. This year, more than ever, we need to come together to support all those affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementia,” said Wendy Vizek, vice president, constituent events at the Alzheimer’s Association. “With the dollars raised, the Alzheimer’s Association can continue to provide care and support to families during these difficult times while also advancing critical research toward methods of treatment and prevention.”

Participants ranging from families to teams to individuals will all be able to connect through a new Walk phone app.

This mobile app will let users not only access information and resources from the Association, but also participate in the Walk opening ceremony as well as follow a virtual walk path, track steps and distance, and manage Facebook fundraisers.  

The new app can be downloaded now, with new features to be updated to it by early August. The app is available on the Google Play Store and AppStore.

Because the 2020 Walk is tied together online, participants will see the opening ceremony with local speakers and emcees, as well as the Promise Flowers presentation.
 
Also in the mix is the Promise Garden, where participants in the past have written a loved one or friend’s name on a flower and set it into a mass of flowers left by other walkers.  This year, the Garden will be set up by Alzheimer’s Association staff and volunteers and will be available in a view-only component.
 
To sign up, visit act.alz.org/walk or call the 24/7 helpline, 800-272-3900.