New York, New York - More than 1,500 New Yorkers participated in this year’s Manhattan Walk to End Alzheimer’s
® on Saturday, October 23 at South Street Seaport. The event was the final of four walks held across the boroughs of New York City that together raised $873,000 for care, support and research programs at the Alzheimer’s Association. The Manhattan Walk to End Alzheimer’s was held in person with safety protocols in place and an option to participate from home.
Maggie Zeman, chair of the Manhattan walk, said, “We were thrilled to be together again this year for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. I lost my mother to Alzheimer’s and know firsthand what a difference support from your community can make. At the walk you get to meet people touched by this disease and share your stories with each other. It has been a source of strength and comfort for me, and I hope many others.”
The Manhattan Walk to End Alzheimer’s began with an a capella performance by Bacchantae from Barnard College. The opening ceremony was emceed by local radio host Race Taylor. New York City-based singer Julea performed a stirring rendition of the National Anthem before Race led the crowd in a moving ceremony to honor caregivers, supporters, those living with Alzheimer’s and those we’ve lost.
During the ceremony, siblings Jeff and Amy Schiffner held up a white flower symbolizing a future survivor of Alzheimer’s. The Schiffners are caring for their mother, who has Alzheimer’s. They said, “It’s easy to lose hope when a loved one has this disease. But the ceremony reminded us that there can and will be a future without Alzheimer’s. Everyone out here is helping fund research that will get us closer to a cure.”
More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease—a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
The Manhattan walk alone raised $589,000, which added to the $135,000 raised for the Brooklyn walk, $81,000 in Queens, and $68,000 in Staten Island. More than 2,800 people participated in the four walks held in New York City this year.
The success of the Manhattan Walk to End Alzheimer’s was made possible thanks to its flagship sponsor Bank of America Merrill Lynch; Chair Maggie Zeman and Co-Chair Dan Stevens; Accounting Industry Liaison Peter Scalise; Advocacy Chair Adrienne Edelstein; Company Engagement Chair Jeff Schiffner; Logistics Chair Brian Couch; Marketing & Outreach Chair Cole Oldenburg; Team Retention Chair Zoe Grenier; Team Retention Co-Chair Margaux Ramee; committee members Deborah Abel, Justin Chen, Elexis Dauernheim, Fran Garfinkel, Sachita Gupta, Ross Iscowitz, Claire Karwan-Cutting, Lauren Keane-Farrell, Shannon LoPresti, Anna Moon, Bari Nedick, Phil, Occhiboi, Liz Pierson, Stephanie Rivera, Amy Schiffner, James Sinclair, Iliana Smalanskas, Sophia Strahan, Jacqui Topche, Lynxie Voorhees, and Ling Zhu.
Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s®
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. 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 leads 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. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia.™ For more information, visit www.alz.org or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.