The Alzheimer’s Association is inviting Park County and Big Horn Basin residents to join the fight to end Alzheimer’s disease by participating in a walk on Saturday, Aug. 8.

This is the first year for the Park County Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Instead of hosting a large gathering, the Alzheimer’s Association is encouraging participants to walk as individuals or in small groups on sidewalks, tracks and trails across northwest Wyoming,

“This year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be everywhere,” said Wendy Vizek, vice president of constituent events at the Alzheimer’s Association. “The pandemic is changing how we walk, but it doesn’t change the need to walk. This year, more than ever, we need to come together to support all those affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementia.”

The dollars raised will be used to provide care and support to families while also advancing critical research toward methods of treatment and prevention, Vizek said.

On walk day, an opening ceremony will feature local speakers and a presentation of Promise Flowers to honor the personal reasons for fighting Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia — all delivered to participants’ smartphones, tablets and computers. A small group of Alzheimer’s Association staff and volunteers will create a Promise Garden in a “view only” format to honor all those impacted by Alzheimer’s.

Participants can use an app and new “Walk Mainstage’” to track their steps and distance, follow a virtual Walk path, manage their Facebook fundraisers and access information and resources to help individuals and families affected by the disease. A new audio track is available to encourage participants along the way and to congratulate them upon completion of their Walk.

“Alzheimer’s is not taking a hiatus during COVID-19 and neither are we,” said Ashley Trudo, the chair of the first Park County Walk. “We are working with all participants to do our best to ensure they have a powerful and moving experience that is felt when we are together.”

“This is our first go at this and our committee has worked hard to get this off the ground during this uncertain time,” Trudo said. “Many of our constituents are at higher risk when it comes to COVID-19 and we know that our volunteers and participants appreciate our commitment to keeping all involved healthy and safe.”

More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease — the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 16 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In Wyoming alone, there are more than 10,000 people living with the disease and 28,000 caregivers.

For more information about this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, visit www.alz.org/walk. As of last week, 31 participants and nine teams had registered for the Park County walk and raised $2,450 toward a $7,500 goal.