Every year, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s brings thousands of Southern Nevadans together around one shared belief: Alzheimer’s cannot go unanswered.

This year, two prominent Las Vegas leaders are helping turn that belief into action.
Hector L. Fernandez, CEO of IGT, and Sandra Douglass Morgan, President of the Las Vegas Raiders, are serving as co-chairs of the 2026 Las Vegas Walk to End Alzheimer’s, taking place Saturday, October 17, at Town Square Las Vegas.

Together, they are challenging Southern Nevada to think bigger through One Million for Memory, an ambitious effort to raise $1 million to support Alzheimer’s research, care and support for families impacted by the disease.

For Hector, It’s Personal

For Hector, the fight against Alzheimer’s begins with his own family.

He stepped into the co-chair role in honor of his mother and has made it his mission to turn that personal experience into action for other families. To help jump-start this year’s campaign, Hector personally matched the first $20,000 raised for the Walk.

“There is no better way to honor my mother’s legacy than by helping to create a lasting impact through the Association’s global research and ongoing efforts to end Alzheimer’s for future generations,” Fernandez said.

His involvement has extended well beyond fundraising. He has used his platform to bring more people into the conversation, raise awareness and encourage the Las Vegas business community to get involved.

Bringing a Community Together
Sandra brings her own deep connection to Southern Nevada and a long history of community leadership to the effort.

As co-chair, she is helping expand the Walk’s reach across Las Vegas, bringing together businesses, community organizations, families and individuals around a disease that touches nearly every corner of our community.

“This cause touches so many families in our community, and it is critical that we continue to raise awareness and resources to support those affected,” Morgan said. “Together, through efforts like the ‘One Million for Memory’ campaign, we can make a meaningful difference and move closer to ending this disease.”

We Beat the Goal. Now We’re Going Bigger.
The community has responded. The Las Vegas Walk’s original $430,000 fundraising goal has already been surpassed, with more than $433,000 raised by more than 800 participants across 176 teams.

IGT currently leads participating companies and teams in fundraising, while the Las Vegas Raiders are also among the Walk’s top fundraising teams. Hector is leading individual fundraising efforts.

It’s an incredible milestone. But it isn’t the finish line.

The next goal is $1 million. 

With Walk Day approaching, One Million for Memory is a challenge to the entire Southern Nevada community to build on what has already been accomplished and see just how much more is possible when a city rallies together.

Why This Matters
The need is enormous.

More than 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, while nearly 13 million family members and friends provide unpaid care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In Nevada, nearly 55,000 people are living with the disease, supported by more than 137,000 unpaid caregivers.

Funds raised through the Walk help advance research and provide care and support resources while promoting earlier detection and risk reduction.

As Courtney Knight, Walk Manager for the Alzheimer’s Association Southern Nevada Region, noted: “The leadership of Sandra Douglass Morgan and Hector L. Fernandez demonstrates what’s possible when business and community leaders unite for a cause that affects so many.”

One Community. One Walk. One Big Goal.
On October 17, participants will gather at Town Square Las Vegas for one of the Walk’s most meaningful traditions, the Promise Garden ceremony. Participants carry flowers representing their personal connection to Alzheimer’s, from living with the disease and caring for someone they love to honoring someone they have lost.

Behind every flower is a story. Together, those stories are a powerful reminder that no family should have to face Alzheimer’s alone.

Hector and Sandra have helped Las Vegas surpass one goal already.

Now they’re asking the community to help reach an even bigger one: $1 million.

Walk. Start a team. Volunteer. Donate. Share the mission. Every one of us can play a part.

Ready to join the movement? Register, form a team or donate at alz.org/lasvegaswalk.