Alzheimer's Association, OC Launches 2011 Walks to End Alzheimer's at Doheny State Beach

IRVINE, CA, April 29, 2011 (Press-News.org) Mark your calendar for the 2011 Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's , and unite in a movement to reclaim the future for millions. The Alzheimer's Association of Orange County is launching its 2011 season this spring with its first walk at Doheny State Beach on Saturday, May 7.

Since 1989, the Alzheimer's Association has mobilized millions of Americans in the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk; now, they ask people to register for Walk to End Alzheimer's, the nation's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research. Alzheimer's disease is the nation's sixth-leading cause of death, and the fourth in Orange County.

"Orange County is one of the hardest hit regions in the nation, with 75,000 individuals in the county affected by Alzheimer's or related dementia — a number expected to double by 2030," said Jim McAleer, CEO and president, Alzheimer's Association, OC. "The walks offer a great opportunity to help us meet this epidemic head on by raising the funds needed to end this disease — and have a great time doing it!"

Harry Crowell, and his team "Insco Dico/Vista Gardens," is the featured Walk Chair in recognition of his generous spirit and consistent financial commitment each year, and Editor-in-Chief of OC METRO Tina Borgatta has graciously agreed to serve as the event emcee and lead a team of walkers — Team Tina B.

The event will offer lively entertainment, delicious food options, dozens of interactive exhibitors to visit, an opportunity drawing to "Dine Out for a Year," with $600 worth of gift cards when people donate $10 and register to participate. There will also be Kids Zones and Doggie Duggouts, with free Doggie Bandanas.

There will also be a "Make Your Own Sign" contest, where teams are encouraged to create their own signs and enter them into the contest at the Team Captain Check-In. Prizes will be awarded to the top three signs at each walk.

Walkers have the option of choosing either a two or four mile route. There is no registration fee, but all participants are encouraged to raise at least $100 in donations to receive a 2011 Walk t-shirt. Both individual walkers and teams of any size are encouraged to participate.

Registration will open at 7:30 a.m., begin opening ceremonies at 9:30 a.m. and kick off the walk at 10 a.m. There will be a pancake breakfast available to all participants for a donation to the walk. Free parking is available at Marco F. Forster Middle School with shuttle service to the walk, or paid parking is available at the State Beach Parking Lot for $15.

For more information, visit http://www.alz.org/walk or call Andrea McDonald at 949.757.3708.

About the Alzheimer's Association of Orange County
The Orange County Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association provides a comprehensive suite of programs and services — provided at no charge — to meet myriad and evolving needs of people with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, their families, caregivers and the community. For more information, please go to http://www.alz.org/oc, or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.