Walk to end Alzheimer’s goes virtual for 2020

The Southwest Regional Walk to End Alzheimer’s (SRWEA) in Las Cruces will look a little different this year – in a good way. In the wake of COVID-19, the Alzheimer’s Association has taken an innovative and creative approach to their flagship fundraiser, an event that has become a tradition in the community. In a nutshell, the Walk continues, and this year, it’s everywhere.

That’s good news for many community members, like Bonnie Zeiler, who remain inspired to fight this disease. Zeiler volunteers as the Las Cruces Alzheimer’s Association Walk chair and has been walking in the event for 10 years.

Through her work as the resident care director at The Village at Northrise, she has seen first-hand the devastation that those with Alzheimer’s and their loved ones can go through. Zeiler said she walks to make a difference in the lives of those affected by the disease.

“I wanted to show families that their journey and the things they were going through were really important to so many people and to make sure that we could get out there and have a voice and some advocacy,” Zeiler said.

Traditionally, the SRWEA was held at one central location, typically Young Park. But in adapting to current health guidelines, the association will forgo hosting a large gathering.  Instead, they are encouraging participants to walk as individuals, families or in small groups on sidewalks, tracks and trails across southwestern New Mexico on Sept. 19 at 9 a.m.

“This year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be everywhere,” said Tim Sheahan, Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Association’s New Mexico Chapter. “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. 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.”

For Zeiler, the virtual format is an opportunity to get creative for the cause. Zeiler and her team still plan to demonstrate their support for the cause, and they’re adding their personal stamp.

“What we’re looking at doing is a campus walk at Village of Northrise, so our staff members can socially distance, and our residents can look out the windows and see what we’re doing,” she said. “And maybe we’ll walk up Roadrunner and Northrise on the sidewalk, so people can get the visibility.”

This year, many time-honored components of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s are being replicated. On walk day, an opening ceremony will feature local speakers and a presentation of promise flowers to honor the personal reasons participants join together to fight Alzheimer’s and all other dementia, all delivered to participants' smartphones, tablets and computers.

A small group of Alzheimer’s Association staff and volunteers will create the iconic Promise Garden in a “view only” format on walk day at the Las Cruces Alzheimer’s Association, 141 Roadrunner Pkwy., #133, to honor all those impacted by Alzheimer’s.

To enhance the participant experience leading up to the event and on walk day, new features are being added to the Walk to End Alzheimer’s mobile app to create an opportunity for the community to connect. Participants can use the app and new “Walk Mainstage'' to track their steps and distance, follow a virtual walk path, manage their Facebook fundraisers and access  information and resources from the Association and Walk sponsors to help individuals and families affected by the disease. A new audio track is available to encourage participants along the way and to congratulate them upon completion of their walk.

“Alzheimer’s is not taking a hiatus during COVID-19 and neither are we,” said Emily Chaddock, Southwestern Regional Development Manager for the Alzheimer’s Association’s New Mexico Chapter. “We must continue Walk to End Alzheimer’s, and we are working with all participants to ensure they have a powerful and moving experience that is felt when we are together. Many of our constituents are at higher risk when it comes to COVID-19, and we know that our volunteers and participants appreciate our commitment to keeping all involved healthy and safe.”

To register and learn more details about the 2020 SRWEA, visit act.alz.org/WALKLC2020 or contact Emily Chaddock at 505-312-4883 or send an email to enchaddock@alz.org.