Submitted Photo Volunteer committee chair Jessica Nelson stands with her father, Les Anderson, at the Walk to End Alzheimer’s in 2022.

Minot residents are being invited by the Alzheimer’s Association to participate in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday at Oak Park.

The event is one of more than 600 in the country taking place this fall to help fund research on behalf of families impacted by dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Committee chair volunteer Jessica Nelson has a personal connection to the cause. Her mother, Debbie Anderson, passed away in 2021 after living with Alzheimer’s for 10 years.

“Her life and the lives of our family changed forever. She was healthy besides that. Just living through that horrible experience with her made me want to get involved,” said Nelson.

Nelson said Alzheimer’s awareness and research has come to the forefront the past couple years. “When my mom was first showing symptoms years ago, it was not something people spoke openly about. No one should have to go through a family member or friend having Alzheimer’s because you lose them so many times. I hope in my lifetime I can witness someone being an Alzheimer’s survivor,” Nelson said.

She said the best thing about the walk is it brings the community together.

“The Alzheimer’s Association helps by raising awareness and offering free services to the person living with Alzheimer’s and their caregiver.” Nelson said.

Check-in for the walk begins at 10 a.m. and the opening ceremony at 11 a.m., with the walk to follow. Participants are encouraged to register early and raise funds to help the Alzheimer’s Association reach its $52,000 goal. Registration is free.

More than 6 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s disease – a leading cause of death in the U.S. In North Dakota alone, there are more than 15,000 people age 65 and older living with the disease and 19,000 caregivers.