Fort Dodge area residents participated in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday. The Walk was held at Fort Dodge Middle School with the health and safety of participants, staff and volunteers remaining top priorities.

Walkers helped raise over $15,000 to support the care, support and research programs of the Alzheimer’s Association. Fundraising continues through the end of the year, so there is still time to donate at alz.org/walk.

Team Hardy led by team captain and top walker Janelle Taylor was the top team at this year’s Walk raising over $1,800.

The other top teams and walkers are:

∫ Team The Memory Avengers, led by team captain Myndi Grimsley who is also this year’s chair and a top walker, raising $1,400 in memory of three of Grimsley’s grandparents.

∫ Team EndALZ4everAubrey Kemerling/Edward Jones/Carroll led by team captain Jodie Rowedder raising over $1,100.

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 Iowa, there are more than 66,000 people living with the disease and 73,000 caregivers.