The Alzheimer’s Association is inviting Northwest Indiana residents to become Champions in the fight against Alzheimer’s by participating in the annual Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk®. Merrillville’s Hidden Lake Park will be the site of the Memory Walk on Sunday, September 19, 2010, with registration beginning at 12:30 p.m. and the walk starting at 1:30 p.m. 
Alzheimer’s disease is a growing epidemic that is now the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. It is estimated that someone in America develops Alzheimer's disease every 70 seconds. By mid-century someone will develop Alzheimer’s disease every 33 seconds.
“There has never been a greater need for the citizens of Northwest Indiana to join in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease by participating in Memory Walk,” said Louise Thompson, Community Service Liaison for the Greater Indiana Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. “As many as 5.3 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease and funds raised will provide support services to the 120,000 residents of Indiana living with Alzheimer’s, while also contributing to critically needed research.”
The Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk is an empowering event that gives participants an opportunity to be Champions by taking action and raising funds to fight Alzheimer’s.
The Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk® is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research programs. Held annually in hundreds of communities across the country, this inspiring event calls volunteers of all ages to become Champions in the fight against Alzheimer Today, approximately 5.3 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, including 120,000 Hoosiers. Every 70 seconds, someone develops Alzheimer’s disease, making Alzheimer’s disease the 7th leading cause of death. The direct and indirect costs of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia amount to more than $172 billion annually.
The Alzheimer’s Association is the world leader in Alzheimer’s research and support. Having awarded more than $265 million to nearly 1,800 research projects, the Alzheimer's Association is the largest private funder of Alzheimer research. The Association’s vision is a world without Alzheimer’s disease. For more information, please visit www.alz.org/indiana.