Walk through Minneapolis raises $1.25M for Alzheimer's research
An annual Alzheimer's fundraiser in the Twin Cities has become one of the nation's biggest – and this year's event was no exception.
More than 11,000 walkers joined with the Alzheimer's Association's Minnesota-North Dakota chapter's "Twin Cities Walk to End Alzheimer's," which set off from Target Field on Saturday.
Between them, the walkers raised an incredible $1.25 million toward Alzheimer's care, support and research, according to a press release.
The event featured a one mile or a 2.3 mile walk through the Minneapolis Warehouse District, with music, food and games also laid on for participants.
According to a chapter official, the $1.25 million raised is the most of any Walk to End Alzheimer's event this year, with the chapter having an eventual goal of raising $1.5 million.
The degenerative disorder is one of the biggest killers in the U.S., with 5.4 million Americans currently suffering from it, according to Alzheimer's Association.
Around 1 in 3 seniors dies from dementia every year, with family caregivers spending more than $5,000 a year to help afflicted relatives.
The Minnesota-North Dakota chapter expects case numbers to "rapidly escalate" as baby boomers age, potentially rising to as many as 16 million cases by 2050, making Alzheimer's research all the more crucial.
