The Alzheimer’s Association is inviting La Crosse area
residents to join the fight to end Alzheimer’s by participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s® on
September 20, 2025, at Riverside Park, 100 State Street, La Crosse. The event opens at 8:30 a.m. with the
Opening Ceremony at 9:40 a.m., immediately followed by the Walk at 10:00 a.m.
This year’s Walk will also feature the third annual School Spirit Competition, with more than 400
students from across La Crosse County clubs and teams expected to participate. On Walk morning, each
student will receive a Dementia Friends certification from the Dementia Care Specialists of La Crosse
County, the largest mass certification ever conducted.
The walk features the inspiring Promise Garden Ceremony, where participants carry colorful flowers,
each representing a personal connection to the disease. At 10:00 a.m., the La Crosse Walk will include a
Dementia Friendly Wave, featuring a shorter walk route where participants will show their support
using the ASL sign for “cheer.” The loud walk wave will begin shortly after.
The Walk is led by dedicated volunteer chairs Terry Erickson, Retired CEO of the Boys and Girls Club
of Greater La Crosse and a member of the Alzheimer’s Association State Board of Directors; Brit Walz,
President of the ENDALZ Fest Foundation & Instructional Services Director – CESA 4; Sara Wrobel,
Executive Director at Causeway Caregivers of La Crosse and OASIS Respite; and Tami Chafer, Senior
Sales & Support Specialist at Associated Bank. The Alzheimer’s Association extends its heartfelt thanks
to these incredible community leaders for their commitment, passion, and leadership in making this walk
possible.
“Walk day is always a moving reminder of the strength and spirit of our community,” said Terry
Erickson, Walk to End Alzheimer’s Chair. “Seeing families, students, caregivers, and neighbors walk
side by side gives us hope and shows that together we can make a real difference. It’s a day of love,
remembrance, and determination to end Alzheimer’s.” -more-
More than 7 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s, one of the nation’s leading causes
of death. Over 11 million family members and friends provide unpaid care for those affected. In
Wisconsin, more than 110,000 people are living with Alzheimer’s, and tens of thousands of caregivers are
supporting them every day. In LaCrosse County alone, over 2,826 residents age 65 and older are living
with dementia.
Exciting progress in both treatments and early detection has brought new hope to millions of families.
Breakthroughs in medical science, fueled by decades of research, advocacy, and community support, are
helping people receive answers sooner and benefit from new ways to slow the progression of the disease.
These advances strengthen our determination to keep moving forward toward a world without dementia.
Professional photographer Tory Kale Shulz will once again be on hand to capture the memorable
moments of Walk day. Be on the lookout for the official 2025 Walk highlight video, set to be released
this winter.