In 2023, the two-mile walk began at Michael Mills Memorial Park and headed east toward the Raccoon River Valley Trail. The same route will be used for the 2024 Raccoon River Valley Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Photo by Dave Grove
By Susan Thompson | Times Vedette
For the fourth year in a row, Panora will host the Raccoon River Valley Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The year’s walk is Saturday, Sept. 21. These fundraising events are held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, and constitute the world’s largest fundraiser for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.
There are 19 walks scheduled in Iowa this fall, with the Panora walk being the smallest town to host one. Others are in cities such as Ames, Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Des Moines, Fort Dodge, Iowa City, Mason City, Ottumwa, Sioux City, Dubuque and more.
The Raccoon River Valley Walk begins at the Michael Mills Memorial Park at Southeast Fifth Street in Panora. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. A special ceremony will be at 9:30 a.m. The opening ceremony will immediately be followed by the two-mile walk that involves walking on a portion of the Raccoon River Valley Trail.
Alzheimer’s kills more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. One in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. More than seven million Americans are living with the disease. In 2024, Alzheimer’s and other dementias will cost the United State $360 billion, a number that is projected to rise to more than $1 trillion in 2050.
Edwards Jones is a national presenting sponsor of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Dave Grove, an Edward Jones financial advisor based in Panora, has been involved in the walk since its inception.
“We had a great turnout last year and grew the walk substantially over 2022. This is such an important cause to get behind and I am pleased to see the research and development is paying off,” Grove says. “Earlier this month the third Alzheimer’s treatment was approved by the FDA. Two years ago, there were no treatments available. This is real progress and gives us hope for a world without Alzheimer’s.”
Grove is the captain for Team Panora, and invites those looking for a team to join him for the 2024 walk.
While there is no fee to register for the walk, all participants are encouraged to raise funds that allow the Alzheimer’s Association to provide 24/7 care and support and advance research toward methods of prevention, treatment and, ultimately, a cure. The Alzheimer’s Association is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Every registered participant who achieves the fundraising minimum of $100 receives an official Walk to End Alzheimer’s T-shirt.
Anyone interested in volunteering to help with the Sept. 21 walk, or who would like to start a team, join an existing team, or make a donation, can get more information and register online at https://act.alz.org. Under “Find a Walk,” enter the Panora zip code of 50216.