This fall, communities across the Washington, D.C., metro area will unite in a powerful display of support for individuals and families facing Alzheimer’s disease. The Walk to End Alzheimer’s, the world’s largest fundraiser for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research, will bring thousands together — dressed in purple — to raise awareness and critical funds to fight this devastating disease.
Organized by the Alzheimer’s Association, the walk is part of a nationwide movement, with more than 600 events taking place across the country. Locally, the National Capital Area chapter will host six walks this year, including the flagship event in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Sept. 27.
The importance of the walk continues to grow as Alzheimer’s affects more and more families each year. Nearly 7 million Americans are currently living with the disease. Even more staggering, over 11 million friends and family members are providing unpaid care. In 2025, the cost of dementia-related care in the U.S. is projected to reach $360 billion, and that number is expected to nearly triple to $1 trillion by 2050.
“There has never been a greater need for the community to join in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease,” said Kate Rooper, president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association National Capital Area chapter. “Funds raised through the walk provide education, support, and resources to individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s, while also helping to advance life-saving research.”
Among the many teams participating in the D.C. walk is Team Tree’s Champions of Liberty, walking in memory of the late Charles J. Ogletree, a professor emeritus at Harvard Law School, civil rights leader, author and advocate. Ogletree was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2016 and became a powerful voice for awareness and research before passing away in August 2023.
The team is made up of current and former employees of the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia (PDS), where Ogletree once served as deputy director. Describing him as a “colleague, mentor, teacher, leader, and beloved friend,” the team named themselves “Champions of Liberty,” a nod to the PDS motto and Ogletree’s lifelong commitment to justice and public service.
While the D.C. walk serves as the chapter’s largest event, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s will also take place in Prince George’s County on Saturday, Sept. 20 at National Harbor. For Tajuana Brown, a longtime resident and passionate advocate, this walk holds deep personal significance.
“I’ve been involved with the Walk to End Alzheimer’s since 2015 — the year I lost my mom to this disease,” Brown shares. “It was a heartbreaking loss, but I knew I had to turn my grief into purpose.”
Tajuana’s family story is one marked by the heavy toll of Alzheimer’s. She lost her grandmother to the disease in 1988 and later watched her mother decline over a 12-year battle.
“I’ve seen this disease up close and personal across two generations,” she says. “It was hard, but I was honored to be a caregiver, along with my sisters and other family members. We made sure my mom knew she was loved until her final breath.”
In her mother’s honor, Tajuana founded Team Nana’s Legacy and began organizing annual fundraisers to raise awareness and support research.
Prince George’s County has one of the highest rates of Alzheimer’s in the nation. According to the first-ever county-level data on Alzheimer’s prevalence, it ranks 4th out of 3,142 U.S. counties for adults aged 65 and older living with the disease — a sobering reminder of the urgency of this work.
Still, Tajuana finds strength and inspiration in the community that gathers for the walk each year.
“My favorite part of Walk Day is seeing so many people come together. It reminds folks they’re not alone,” she says. “And yes — I’ll be in a tutu again! It’s become my tradition to bring smiles and lift spirits.”
Though the fight is far from over, Tajuana walks with hope — and a firm resolve to carry on her mother’s legacy.
“A cure wasn’t found in time to save my mom, but because of the woman she raised me to be, I’ll keep fighting in her honor — for as long as I can.”
Learn more or register for your local Walk to End Alzheimer’s at alz.org/walk
