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COLORADO SPRINGS – For the first time in two years, hundreds of family caregivers and friends of Coloradans living with Alzheimer's disease will be able to gather together in the heart of Colorado Springs on Saturday morning, Oct. 2, to bond, share stories and raise funds for a cure to the disease during the annual Walk to End Alzheimer's.

People from across Central Colorado will gather at Memorial Park at Prospect Lake in the heart of the city to walk on behalf of more than 76,000 Coloradans and 6.2 million people across the United States living with Alzheimer's, the sixth-leading cause of death and the only major disease without a prevention or cure.

"COVID-19 kept us apart in 2020, but the Coloradans who share our commitment to finding a cure for Alzheimer's are ready to gather together in honor of their loved ones and raise funds to find a prevention or cure for this horrible disease," said Charlotte Long regional development manager for the Alzheimer's Association in Central Colorado.

"We are excited to announce that we have changed the location of our Colorado Springs Walk to End Alzheimer's to Memorial Park at Prospect Lake," Long noted. "With this location being where a lot of local festivities are held, we are looking forward to an even greater sense of community, participation and local support as we utilize the new space."

Long and the team of volunteers from across the region are actively engaged in recruiting walkers and team sponsors for the Walk in Colorado Springs to meet the Association's ambitious fundraising goal of $220,000.

"The 13 Walks to End Alzheimer's across the state are the primary source of funds for services offered through the Colorado Chapter," said Long. "Combined with our 12 other walks across Colorado, we have a statewide fundraising goal of $2.4 million for 2021."

The proceeds from the Walks enable the Alzheimer's Association of Colorado to continue to provide the essential programs and services for those who receive an Alzheimer's diagnosis, as well as services for their family and caregivers.

The 2021 Colorado Springs Walk to End Alzheimer's will start with registration at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, at Memorial Park at Prospect Lake. The festival area opens at 9 a.m. and opening ceremonies will be at 10 a.m.

Edward Jones and CVS Health are national presenting sponsors of the Walk to End Alzheimer's.

Following are key facts about Alzheimer's disease:

Courtesy of Alzheimer's Association, Colorado Chapter

Scene from the last Walk to End Alzheimer's in Colorado Springs in 2019.

• 76,000 Coloradans are among 6.2 million Americans living with Alzheimer's disease.

• Alzheimer's kills more people than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.

• Since 2000, deaths from Alzheimer's have increased 145 percent, while deaths from heart disease have declined 7 percent.

• Women make up two-thirds of those diagnosed with Alzheimer's – and two-thirds of the family caregivers.

• In Colorado alone, more than 158,000 family and friends are serving as unpaid caregivers, providing an estimated 184 million hours of support in 2020 valued at more than $3.7 billion.

For more information, call the free 24/7 Alzheimer's Association Helpline at 800-272-3900. To register, volunteer or make a donation to the Colorado Springs Walk to End Alzheimer's, go to http://www.alz.org/walk