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25th Annual
Alzheimer’s Greater Los Angeles (ALZGLA) walk4ALZ®
Edward James Olmos, Sharon
Lawrence, Liz Hernandez,
Larry Morgan, Susan Singer
Carter, Paula Rosado
Attend and Support
Nearly $400,000 Raised
Los
Angeles, CA (October 29, 2017)–
Alzheimer’s Greater Los Angeles (ALZGLA) held the popular
annual fundraiser walk4ALZ® today, Sunday, October 29th.
The two-mile walk started in Century Park, in Century City,
traversed Avenue of the Stars, before returning to the park,
and drew close to one thousand participants and supporters.
A fun-filled morning for the whole family, walkers paraded
in Halloween costumes and participated in the walk4ALZ
costume contest. Fundraising from the annual walk4ALZ,
generated nearly $400,000. All walk4ALZ proceeds benefit
Alzheimer’s Greater Los Angeles.
Special guests included: Edward James Olmos (Blade
Runner 2049, Coco), Sharon Lawrence (Queen
Sugar, Me, Myself & I), Kelen Coleman (Me,
Myself & I), Larry Morgan (K-EARTH), Liz Hernandez (Wordaful),
Susan Singer Carter (filmmaker: My Mom & The Girl).
Liz Hernandez and Sid Garcia emceed the opening ceremonies
and shared moving personal stories about how Alzheimer’s had
impacted their families. Garcia noted the death of music
legend Glen Campbell this year, who suffered from
Alzheimer’s. Edward James Olmos rallied the crowd with an
enthusiastic speech about the importance of local
Alzheimer’s care as a resource to the Latino community.
Hernandez introduced ALZGLA President and CEO, Heather
Cooper Ortner, who thanked sponsors, and the special efforts
of honorary board member Dr. Joshua Trabulus, whose walk4ALZ
team Dr. T & Friends raised more than $62,000. Dr.
Trabulus was presented with a Los Angeles Chargers football
signed by Joey Bosa, #99, LA Charger’s Defensive End and
2017 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, generously donated by
LA Chargers.
Following the walk, Paula Rosado (Univision
34) discussed the unique challenges faced by Alzheimer’s
caregivers and the importance of seeking personal respite
and support when caring for a loved one with dementia.
Sharon Lawrence and Kelen Coleman, who have each experienced
the pain of a loved one impacted by Alzheimer’s and
progressive cognitive impairment, addressed the need to
support one another as well look for a cure. Concluding the
event, special guests and volunteers announced the
fundraising grand total in a suspenseful “reveal”.
Walk4ALZ was generously sponsored and
supported by Meridian Senior Living, KABC7, Univision, Home
Care Assistance, Zenith Media, Century Park, and Wellbrook
Santa Monica. Vendor booths and entertainment included a
Halloween booth decoration contest, music, face painting,
balloon art, food and beverages by The Stand.
100% percent of walk4ALZ funds raised stay
local and will provide the wide range of free ALZGLA
programming available to Angelenos living with Alzheimer’s,
their families and caregivers. Twenty percent of proceeds
will fund grants for locally based medical research into
dementia and its causes.
“Walk4ALZ is our biggest annual fundraiser
and makes it possible to supply needed services free of
charge to all those suffering from Alzheimer’s, their
families and caregivers, living in Greater Los Angeles and
the Inland Empire. The Walk is also a great opportunity to
come out and enjoy a day of community fun and exercise. The
entire ALZGLA staff looks forward to this chance to meet our
clients and guests in a fun setting and raise awareness with
the greater community,” said Heather Cooper Ortner,
President and CEO, Alzheimer’s Greater Los Angeles.
About Alzheimer’s Greater Los
Angeles
Alzheimer’s Greater Los Angeles is the only
local full-service, dementia-focused, nonprofit with 36
years of experience and 5 locations serving Greater Los
Angeles and the Inland Empire. ALZGLA provides programs and
services free of charge to individuals with Alzheimer’s and
related dementias, their families, caregivers and the
community. Low cost training and education are also offered
for professionals. Alzheimer’s Greater Los Angeles began as
an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 1981. 100% of all
Alzheimer’s Greater Los Angeles fundraising stays local,
focusing on care, support, advocacy, and research across
Greater Los Angeles and the Inland Empire.
Alzheimer’s is a devastating
neurodegenerative disease that weakens the memory and other
cognitive and emotional functions. For more information,
call the Helpline 24/7 at 1-844-HELP-ALZ or visit www.alzgla.org.
Find Alzheimer’s Greater Los Angeles on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ALZGLA
Twitter: @ALZGLA https://twitter.com/ALZGLA
Instagram: @ALZGLA https://www.instagram.com/ALZGLA
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTvy865lLjoEi9DJTj-ljVw |