EDWARDSVILLE/GLEN CARBON – One in six people over age 65 will be diagnosed with dementia in their lifetimes, and you can take a step to find a cure.
The Alzheimer’s Association will host their “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” in Edwardsville on Oct. 17, 2026. Community members are invited to participate, volunteer or sponsor, and all donations will go toward The Alzheimer’s Association programs and research to cure the disease.
“It’s not a solemn event. We’re celebrating all the advancements we’ve made and the wonderful lives that people have lived before they’ve unfortunately been affected by the disease,” said Joslyn Stone with The Alzheimer’s Association. “It’s an inspiring day where everyone comes together, and it’s one day where everyone knows that they are not alone because everybody who’s there is connected together in some way.”
The Edwardsville Walk to End Alzheimer’s will begin its opening ceremony at 10 a.m. on Oct. 17 at Ray M. Schon Park in Glen Carbon. This ceremony includes a few speakers, and then everyone in attendance will receive a flower. The color of the flower denotes your connection to Alzheimer’s. Each group raises their flowers in the air, and then a child will present a white flower to represent the first person who will be cured of the disease.
Stone said it’s “hard to find a dry eye” after this ceremony. The walk then kicks off at 10:30 a.m., and participants can choose a shorter or longer route around the park.
Before and after the walk, there will also be a variety of activities for all ages to enjoy. A clown will be onsite making balloon animals for kids, and there will be light refreshments and a few additional activities.
Stone emphasized that the day is for people of all ages and abilities; they regularly welcome participants in strollers, and they were excited to meet a 99-year-old who participated a few years ago. You can also come out to enjoy the festivities and choose not to walk but to cheer on the participants.
The Edwardsville Walk to End Alzheimer’s has raised nearly $40,000 of its $100,000 goal so far. You can register online to participate as an individual or part of a team. The Alzheimer’s Association asks all participants to raise donations toward the cause.
All proceeds go back to the organization’s work. The Alzheimer’s Association offers support groups, educational programs, care consultations, resource connection services, and a 24/7 support hotline. These services are completely free. Through donations, the group can do more to support families impacted by the disease.
In addition to the Oct. 17 Edwardsville event, Belleville will also host a Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Sept. 26. A third walk is planned for Oct. 24 in Centralia.
Stone hopes to see many people at each of these events. She emphasized that the goal is to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s while fundraising for The Alzheimer’s Association.
Dementia is, unfortunately, very common, and more prevalent in women and people of color. Stone hopes these walks encourage people to think about their brain health and prevention while also supporting individuals who are affected. She noted that prevention is possible, and she encourages people to prioritize exercise, sleep, and brain activity like reading and puzzles.
The Alzheimer’s Association is also looking for volunteers and sponsors for each of these events. To inquire, contact Stone at 314-801-0408.
You can visit the official Edwardsville Walk to End Alzheimer’s page for more information. To learn more about The Alzheimer’s Association and how to give or receive help, visit their official website.
“It’s so emotional and so moving,” Stone added. “We’re all gathered together that day because we are pushing forward because we want to have a world without any Alzheimer’s or dementia.”
