Alzheimer’s Fight Ramps Up: Treatment and Return to In-person Cleveland Walk

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s® returns to in-person activities alongside a historic decision by FDA

Off the heels of a quiet year in 2020, the Alzheimer’s Association has plenty to be optimistic about in 2021. Not only are they and its constituents celebrating the Walk to End Alzheimer’s – the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research – returning to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in October, but they also are welcoming a scientific breakthrough: a treatment.

On Monday, June 7, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved aducanumab for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, marking this as the first-ever FDA-approved treatment for the underlying biology of Alzheimer’s, not just the symptoms. Appropriately the news comes during Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, established in June.

“This new treatment approval and sustained progress in the research field benefit from years of investment and relentless dedication to our vision of a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia,” Harry Johns, Chief Executive Office for the Alzheimer’s Association said. “Of course, our work is not done,” he added. “The fight to end Alzheimer’s is as urgent as ever. As the leader in the quest to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia, you can be assured that the Alzheimer’s Association will fight to ensure access to this treatment and ultimately others for all communities.”

Each year, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s raises millions of dollars nationwide, which has contributed significantly to the progress of research and funding needed to make a breakthrough like aducanumab possible. Tyler Adams, Director, Walk to End Alzheimer’s for the Cleveland Area Chapter hopes this treatment is a huge boost to momentum for this event.

“Simply put, each person involved in our mission and the Walk to End Alzheimer’s – volunteers, sponsors, participants – made this possible,” he said. “This breakthrough is tangible evidence that what we do matters for the millions of people impacted by Alzheimer’s and dementia, and I can’t wait to see everyone rally together in October to continue to build a brighter future.”

The Cleveland Walk to End Alzheimer’s presented by the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and Cleveland Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center will be held at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo on Sunday, Oct 3 (time TBD). The goal for the event is to raise $440,000 – 30% of which has already been raised.

Alongside an in-person gathering, the Alzheimer’s Association will provide alternative virtual options, which will allow participants to experience the Walk to End Alzheimer’s from anywhere.

This year’s event co-chairs are Chelsae Poelking, Quality Systems Engineer, Integra LifeSciences, and Mike Moscarino, Owner, MJM Solutions, LLC.

People can go to act.alz.org/cleveland to register for the event. Adams encouraged participants to download the Walk to End Alzheimer’s app for additional tools.

The Cleveland Walk to End Alzheimer’s is one of four Walks the Cleveland Area Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association is having this year. Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in Ohio and the United States. For more information, please visit alz.org.