2025 Walk to End Alzheimer’s. -STOCK PHOTO

Lee County residents will join together for Walk to End Alzheimer’s—the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

On Walk day, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias, like Jeff Edwards, whose wife, Bunny, is living with Alzheimer’s, and Venita Winslett, whose husband, Joe, passed away from Alzheimer’s. The morning begins with the poignant Promise Garden ceremony, where walkers will carry flowers of various colors that represent their personal connection to the disease.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s is nationally presented by Edward Jones and locally presented by VITAS Healthcare.

The 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer’s Lee County offers a great opportunity to report various Alzheimer ’s-related storylines and the disease’s impact on residents, including:

Jeff Edwards, whose wife, Bunny, is living with Alzheimer’s
Venita Winslett, whose husband, Joe, passed away from Alzheimer’s
Irene Montagnino, a research nurse for Alzheimer’s, also lost her grandmother to Alzheimer’s

November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregiver Month, a time to recognize the disproportionate impact Alzheimer’s has on Floridians. Families now have hope with new treatments that, for the first time ever, can slow the progression of the disease.

Florida has the second largest number of people living with the disease in the U.S., with over 580,000 residents estimated to have the progressive brain disease. More than 870,000 unpaid caregivers provide 24/7 support for a loved one living with Alzheimer’s. Lee County has an estimated 26,700 people or 11.4 percent over the age of 65 living with Alzheimer’s.

For more information, visit alz.org/LeeCountyWalk.

In The KNOW

WHAT: Walk to End Alzheimer’s
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. Event begins at 8 AM, Ceremony at 8:45 AM, Walk to immediately follow
WHERE: Florida SouthWestern State College, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft. Myers.

COURTESY PHOTO

 

Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s®

The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Since 1989, the Alzheimer’s Association mobilized millions of Americans in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk®; now the Alzheimer’s Association is continuing to lead the way with Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s Association®

The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to  Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Its mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.