On Saturday, October 26th, 2024, the UF Health Gator Brainwaves team participated in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Trinity United Methodist Church, supporting the Alzheimer’s Association’s mission to end Alzheimer’s disease. This year, the team raised an impressive $1,937.53, showing the power of collaboration across UF Health in advancing Alzheimer’s research and support.
Gator Brainwaves represents a coalition of UF Health organizations, including the Department of Neurology, McKnight Brain Institute, Department of Neurosciences, Florida1ADRC, Brain Injury, Rehabilitation, and Neuroresilience (BRAIN) Center, UF Institute on Aging, and Perioperative Cognitive Anesthesia Network (PECAN). Together, these groups demonstrated their shared commitment to improving the lives of individuals affected by Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
The Walk to End Alzheimer’s event served as a powerful gathering for dementia service providers, families, caregivers, and community advocates, all united by a common purpose. Across the U.S., more than 6 million people live with Alzheimer’s, while over 11 million family members and friends provide unpaid care. This event brought together supporters and advocates, offering them a platform to take steps toward a world without Alzheimer’s.
At the Gator Brainwaves table, team members connected with participants, raising awareness and successfully recruiting new volunteers for research focused on caregiver challenges. UF Health also highlighted its ongoing contributions to Alzheimer’s and dementia research, with representation from the UF Neuromedicine Human Brain and Tissue Bank and the UF Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases.
The Alzheimer’s Association’s mission—to end Alzheimer’s by driving research, risk reduction, early detection, and quality care and support—aligns closely with the goals of UF Health. The Department of Neurology and partner institutes at UF Health are proud to support this cause, knowing that each dollar raised and every step taken brings us closer to a world without Alzheimer’s.
