Caitlynne Kesty and Aneeta Shepardson have been named co-chairs of the 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer’s — Niagara County. Kesty is a purchaser at Amherst Stainless Fabrication and runs WNY Meat Raffles and Shepardson is a teacher at Lewiston-Porter Schools.
“I walk for my Nana who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2020 on top of having Multiple Sclerosis,” Kesty says. “One day, we will find a cure and I will be proud to say that I helped do that. I walk for the millions with the disease and those yet to be diagnosed.”
“I walk for my Dad and Uncle Jack and the countless others who are suffering from this disease,” Shepardson says. “I walk with the hope for a cure.”
The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research programs. The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Niagara County will be held on Oct. 18, at Reservoir Park in Niagara Falls.
On Walk day, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer’s with the poignant Promise Garden ceremony — a mission-focused experience that signifies our solidarity in the fight against the disease. During the ceremony, walkers will carry flowers of various colors, each color representing their personal connection to the disease.
“This is a pivotal moment in the fight against Alzheimer’s. There are now treatments that change the course of the disease,” said Kaitlyn Less, director of development for the WNY Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. “We hope everyone in our community can join us by starting a team to help raise awareness and funds for families facing the disease, as well as funding research toward treatments that will finally end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.”
More than 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease — a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, nearly 12 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In New York, there are more than 426,500 people living with the disease and 656,000 caregivers.
To register and receive the latest updates on this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, visit: alz.org/WNYwalk.