Thousands gather to support Alzheimer’s, dementia research at annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Thousands gathered in Richmond to support Alzheimer's and dementia research at the highly anticipated annual Walk to End Alzheimer's on Saturday.
On Saturday, Nov. 8, families, businesses and individuals joined the 8News team -- a media partner with the Walk to End Alzheimer's since 2016 -- in the fight against Alzheimer's and dementia. The event was emceed by evening anchors Deanna Allbrittin and Eric Philips.
(Photo: Dixon Johnston, 8News)
(Photo: Dixon Johnston, 8News)
(Photo: Dixon Johnston, 8News)
(Photo: Dixon Johnston, 8News)
(Photo: Dixon Johnston, 8News)
(Photo: Dixon Johnston, 8News)
(Photo: Dixon Johnston, 8News)
(Photo: Dixon Johnston, 8News)
(Photo: Dixon Johnston, 8News)
(Photo: Dixon Johnston, 8News)
(Photo: Dixon Johnston, 8News)
(Photo: Dixon Johnston, 8News)
"This is our most important event of the year," said Tom McInerny, CEO of Genworth Richmond, who was a top fundraiser for this year's walk. "We're the largest long-term care insurance company in the country and one of the big challenges for families that we support...we've helped 400,000 families through disease of older age and number one is Alzheimer's and severe dementia."
McInerny says his company paid over $32 billion over the last 30 years, helping families deal with this "devastating disease," he said.
Richmond is reportedly known for having one of the strongest turnouts in the U.S. for the event, and this year, the city was nearing its fundraising goal of $1.1 million goal "to support the care and critical research needed to advance the treatment, prevention and one day...a cure," per event organizers.
By 8:05 a.m. on Saturday, 98% of the Alzheimer's Association's goal had been met, with just $25,000 more needed to reach the more than $1 million goal.
At the promise garden, colorful pinwheels symbolize different journeys for those impacted by Alzheimer's. Orange pinwheels represent hope for a cure, purple honors those who died due to the disease and yellow represents caregivers of those living with Alzheimer's.
For more information on the walk, click here.
