Walk raises money for Alzheimer's

Walkers will descend on Bloomington's Bryan Park Sunday to raise money for Alzheimer's help services and research. Registration will begin at noon for the 4th Annual Bloomington Memory Walk, held by the nonprofit Alzheimer's Association of Greater Indiana. \nKerry DeLaney, chairman of the Memory Walk, encourages people of all ages to attend.\n"The walk is two or three laps around Bryan Park, which is good for children and the elderly," DeLaney said. \nThose interested can register and walk as an individual or a team, which consists of five or more people. There are already 38 teams registered, including Beta Alpha Psi and Delta Gamma sororities.\nBloomington is one of 10 cities in Indiana to hold a Memory Walk in connection with Alzheimer's Association.\nA massage therapist will be at one of several booths set up by sponsors at the park for walkers with sore muscles. Mayor Mark Kruzan, the honorary chairman of the event, will also be in attendance, along with the Ralph Eads band. There will be a bagpipe performance, and, after the walk, there will be a free luncheon. \nRegistration is free, but walkers are encourage to raise donations.\nProceeds will help fund support groups, educational programs and a 24-hour helpline provided by the Alzheimer's Association of Greater Indiana. \nMark Laker, the outreach coordinator for the organization, said Alzheimer's is a disease that affects everyone in one way or another and is the fourth leading cause of death for people over 65.\nLaker wants to see as many people as possible come out to participate and make donations at the event to help the organization's cause.\n"We all need to work together to support the cause to conquer this disease," Laker said.