(Enid, OK) On August 29th, The Alzheimer’s Association is inviting Enid residents and surrounding communities to the Walk to End Alzheimer’s to join the fight against Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Alzheimer’s Association is encouraging participants to walk as individuals or in small groups on sidewalks, tracks and trails in Enid instead of hosting a larger gathering.
Sarah Bruton, manager of the Enid Walk to End Alzheimer’s, said that “The pandemic is changing how we walk, but it doesn’t change the need to walk”. Although the large gathering is not happening, the time-honored components of the Walk will be replicated while still following social distancing guidelines.
To replicate the experience of the Walk, new features will be added to the Walk to End Alzheimer’s mobile app to create a connection between the socially distanced walkers. New features include a “Walk Mainstage” to track their steps, a virtual Walk path and resources to help the individuals affected by the disease.
With COVID-19, Bruton emphasized that the changes are made for the safety of not only the walkers, but the other volunteers. Bruton said “Many of our constituents are at higher risk when it comes to COVID-19”. Bruton also reassured that the message behind the walk has not changed by saying “Alzheimer’s is not taking a hiatus during COVID-19 and neither are we”.
To register and receive updates on this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, visit enidwalk.org.
by Anthony Lopez
