WYRZ.org 98.9 WYRZ – The Voice of Hendricks County
INDIANAPOLIS, IN, Feb. 11, 2022 –The Alzheimer’s Association Greater Indiana Chapter is announcing plans to host the 2022 Indianapolis Walk to End Alzheimer’s® on Oct. 1 at IUPUI’s Michael A. Carroll Stadium in downtown Indianapolis. The event will once again be held in partnership with Indy Eleven, Indiana’s professional soccer team.
“Last year’s partnership with Indy Eleven was a great success,” said Natalie Sutton, executive director, Alzheimer’s Association Greater Indiana Chapter. “The venue provided an excellent experience for our participants, and we met our goal of raising $800,000 – making us the #14 Walk to End Alzheimer’s event out of more than 600 nationwide. We are so excited to see what this year brings.”
As part of the partnership, each registered participant for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s will receive a ticket to an Indy Eleven Professional Soccer game of choice, to be redeemed for either the Oct. 1 or the Oct. 8 game.
“It is a great pleasure to again play host and act as the official venue sponsor for the 2022 Walk to End Alzheimer’s here in Indianapolis. Our support for this leading community event dovetails with our organization’s commitment to the Indianapolis community and beyond,” explained Greg Stremlaw, president and CEO of Indy Eleven. “Raising awareness for this wonderful cause, and one that has impacted our organization closely, is another way we can help stand together and raise much needed funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.”
Ersal Ozdemir, founder and owner of Keystone Group and Indy Eleven, will serve as Executive Event Chair. In this role, he will engage with the local business community to increase corporate support for the Walk.
“Like so many Walk volunteers and participants, I am no stranger to Alzheimer’s disease,” said Ozdemir. “For over a decade my father has lived with Alzheimer’s halfway across the globe in Turkey. It is an awful feeling not being able to help your loved ones. I support the Alzheimer’s Association to raise awareness and accelerate research for those living with and those providing care to loved ones with this terrible disease.”
“This is a new role for this year’s Walk, and we are thrilled that Ersal has agreed to volunteer his time to take on this important work,” said Anne Murray, development director, Alzheimer’s Association Greater Indiana Chapter. “He has earned a reputation as a visionary leader in our community, and we are confident that his skills and passion for our mission will help bring this event to the next level.”
Mark McFatridge, founder & CEO of The Owner’s Blueprint and Quade Executive Peer Group, has joined as Walk Committee Chair. In this role, he will help drive engagement with other community organizations and those affected by the disease. Paul Richard, robotic architect at CNO Financial Group, will serve as chair of the Event Experience Committee.
The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.
More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease – a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In Indiana alone, there are 110,000 people living with the disease and 215,000 caregivers.
Registration for the 2022 Walk to End Alzheimer’s is now open at alz.org/Indiana/walk.
