(WNY News Now) – Community leaders Sandy Keough and Jessica Kramer step up once more to lead the Southern Tier’s largest Alzheimer’s awareness event at Olean’s JCC Campus on September 27.
BUFFALO, N.Y. – Sandy Keough and Jessica Kramer will return this year as co-chairs of the 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Southern Tier. Keough is a retired educator and Kramer is a social worker at Absolut Care of Allegany.
The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research programs. The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Southern Tier will be held on Saturday, September 27, at Olean’s JCC Campus on North Union St.
“I look forward, once again, to working with the Western New York Chapter on the Walk,” Keough says. “I walk in loving memory of my Dad and all my family and friends who have suffered from any type of dementia. I am forever grateful to the work the Association does on behalf of those with dementia and for their loved ones who walk for them.”
“I am honored to return to the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s in the Southern Tier. I initially joined the committee in memory of Grandfather Oliver Nicholas, a well-known businessman in Olean,” Kramer says. “Today I walk in memory of him as well as for the thousands who are directly impacted by this debilitating disease. One day we will find the cure and until then we will continue to raise awareness, walk proudly and fight against Alzheimer’s. We hope you can join us in September!”
On Walk day, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer’s with the poignant Promise Garden ceremony — a mission-focused experience that signifies our solidarity in the fight against the disease. During the ceremony, walkers will carry flowers of various colors, each color representing their personal connection to the disease.
“This is a pivotal moment in the fight against Alzheimer’s. There are now treatments that change the course of the disease,” says Kaitlyn Less, director of development for the WNY Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. “We hope everyone in the community can join us by starting a team to help raise awareness and funds for families facing the disease, as well as funding research toward treatments that will finally end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.”
More than 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease – a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, nearly 12 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In New York, there are more than 426,500 people living with the disease and 656,000 caregivers.
To register and receive the latest updates on this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, visit: alz.org/WNYwalk.
Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s®
The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’sis the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Since 1989, the Alzheimer’s Association mobilized millions of Americans in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk®; now the Alzheimer’s Association is continuing to lead the way with Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s Association®
The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Its mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.
Leave a Reply