Nearly 4,000 people joined the Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Charlotte in the fight to end Alzheimer’s disease at BB&T Ballpark on Nov. 2. Participants raised a record-breaking amount - over $661,000 - to fund Alzheimer's care, support and research programs. The walk is currently less than $79,000 away from reaching its $740,000 goal. Donations are still being accepted through Dec. 31 at act.alz.org/Charlotte.

“Many thanks to our Walk participants, volunteers, sponsors, staff and the Charlotte community for their hard work and efforts in making this year’s event a big success,” said Katherine L. Lambert, CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association – Western Carolina Chapter. “We appreciate everyone coming together to take steps for Alzheimer’s disease and to raise critical funds for Alzheimer’s research and local support services.”

Sharon Towers Walkers was the top fundraising team at this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, raising $33,970. The other top fundraising teams include: Team Cadwalader ($32,129) and Landmark Builders, Inc. ($30,500).

Added Lambert, “Congratulations to the top teams for their stellar fundraising efforts. Together, we are showing the 170,000 North Carolina residents living with Alzheimer’s that we care and we will never give up in the fight to end this disease.”

This year's Walk was locally presented by Sharon Towers. The Emcees for the day’s festivities were Rob Tanner, Host of WSOC-FM’s “Tanner in the Morning Show,” and Ann Wyatt Little, anchor for FOX 46 Charlotte. The warm-up was led by Nick Kosir, meteorologist for FOX 46 Charlotte. The finish line celebration emcee was Francene Marie Morris, host of the “The Francene Marie Show” from Beasley Media Group, Inc.

Congresswoman Alma Adams was a special guest at the event, which included fun, all-ages entertainment and family-friendly music. On Walk day, participants honored those affected by Alzheimer's disease with Promise Flowers during the poignant Promise Garden Ceremony – a moving display of hope to represent the personal reasons participants join together to fight Alzheimer’s.

Additional Facts and Figures: (http://www.alz.org/facts/)

• Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States.

• Every 65 seconds someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s.

• An estimated 5.8 million Americans are living with the disease, including 170,000 North Carolina residents, are living with Alzheimer’s, a number estimated to grow to as many as 14 million by year 2050.

• More than 16 million family and friends, including 473,000 in North Carolina, provide unpaid care to people with Alzheimer's or other dementias in the United States.

• In 2018, friends and family of those with Alzheimer’s in North Carolina provided an estimated 538 million hours of unpaid care, a contribution valued at $6.8 billion.

About the Alzheimer’s Association:

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s.

About the Alzheimer’s Association - Western Carolina Chapter:

The Western Carolina Chapter provides patient and family services, information and referral, education, and advocacy in 49 central and western North Carolina counties. We provide a variety of services including a 24/7 Helpline, support groups, educational programs, and MedicAlert®. We offer opportunities to get involved and to make a difference. For more information about Alzheimer's disease or the Alzheimer's Association Western Carolina Chapter, visit www.alz.org/northcarolina or call (800) 272-3900. For the latest news and updates, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.