Walk to end Alzheimer's Set for Sept. 16 on Kaufman Mall

September 09, 2014

With more than 5 million people living with dementia in the United States, there are growing concerns about the impact to healthcare costs, as well as families' lives. It's estimated that dementia-related issues represent more than $200 billion in health care costs every year.

While the leading cause of Alzheimer's is aging, lifestyle factors play a significant role in the onset, development and severity of the disease.

On Tuesday, September 16, 2014 Old Dominion University will host the annual satellite Walk to End Alzheimer's on the Kaufman Mall. Registration will begin at noon.

ODU President John R. Broderick will give remarks at the opening ceremony at 12:30 p.m. Afterwards, the President will lead a short walk around the ODU campus. A gathering of 100 or more participants is expected.

The ODU Alzheimer's Walk is in support of the South Hampton Roads Walk to End Alzheimer's. This walk is scheduled for Oct 12th at 10am in Virginia Beach. To learn more about how to get involved or to fundraise, please visit: http://act.alz.org/site/TR/Walk2014/VA-SoutheasternVirginia?fr_id=5774&pg=entry.

The ODU walk, sponsored by the university's Office of Community Engagement, will take place at 12:30 p.m. It is open to all members of the campus community; registration is not required.

Designed to promote awareness and prevention of the disease, the event will include healthy snacks, giveaways and opportunities to learn tips to prevent the onset of Alzheimer's.

The rain site for the Walk to End Alzheimer's is inside the front lobby of Webb University Center.

The American Alzheimer's Association recommends eating healthy, exercising, not smoking and challenging your brain as ways for people to reduce their risk of contracting the disease.

Community Engagement is hosting this event in cooperation with Old Dominion University Recreation and Wellness. For more information contact Tami Park, Assistant Director for Community Outreach and Partnerships, at tpark@odu.edu or 683-7481.