The West Virginia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association states: “In October of 1982, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed one week in November as National Alzheimer’s Disease Week. One year later he proclaimed November as National Alzheimer’s Disease Month. At that time, he did not know he would join 4.5 million Americans and more than 48,000 West Virginians, who are currently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.”

One tenth of people over age 65 and almost half of those over 85 currently have Alzheimer’s. West Virginia’s elderly population is predicted to grow by 60 percent in the next 25 years. In this year alone, 400,000 West Virginia baby boomers will turn age 65.

The WV Bureau of Senior Services says that by the year 2024, 105,500 West Virginians will have Alzheimer’s disease.

The New Martinsville Parks and Recreation Commission will sponsor “A Walk to Remember” on Nov. 26 at 6:30 p.m. The walk will be held on the bike path on Howard Jeffers Drive, beginning and ending at the shelter located north of the hydro-electric plant.

The purpose of this walk is to raise awareness about the disease’s effect on patients and their families.

Those afflicted by Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia will be remembered and commemorated. All proceeds from the walk will go into an account for construction of a memorial garden to be located in one of the city parks.

Registration is $12 and includes a t-shirt. Registration forms are available at City Hall in New Martinsville. Those registered on or before Nov. 11 will be guaranteed a t-shirt at the walk.

Participants will also be able to purchase and decorate their own luminaries for $2 each in honor or in memory of a loved one.

For more information, contact New Martinsville Parks and Recreation at 304-455-9130.