Celebrate Hope & Have Fun at the Abilene Walk To End Alzheimer’s

Abilene Gears Up for the 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer’s

If you know etiquette like I know etiquette, then you already know it’s not cool to wear white after Labor Day. But when it comes to fighting Alzheimer’s, Abilene has made exceptions. Over the years, local teams have turned out in all kinds of colors to honor loved ones, and at least once, white shirts became a symbol of remembrance and hope.

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This fall, the community will once again gather in purple, the official color of the Alzheimer’s Association, for the 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Abilene, happening Saturday, October 18 at Grover Nelson Park by the Abilene Zoo.

A Symbol of Hope

At every walk, a single white flower is held high as a symbol of the first survivor of Alzheimer’s, a reminder of what everyone is striving toward. Tamara Hunter, captain of the AAA’s Hunter Heroes, explains, “White has significance because at the Walk to End Alzheimer’s every year, a white flower serves as a symbol of hope for Alzheimer’s first survivor.”

A New Leader, A Renewed Mission

This year’s event is led by Lauren Stephans, Senior Manager of Development for the Alzheimer’s Association. She’s bringing a renewed energy to the Abilene walk and a clear message of hope.

“Fighting to end Alzheimer’s and supporting those impacted isn’t just seasonal,” Stephans said. “This year, my goal is to help accomplish even more through the Walk to End Alzheimer’s while sharing hope and love with our community. With new medications and advancing research, it’s an exciting time to be part of the Alzheimer’s Association. I want our community to know that their support is driving real change, and the best is yet to come. We are here, and we are here continuing this fight.”

Event Details

• Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025
• Location: Nelson Park, next to the Abilene Zoo
• Schedule: Registration & booths open at 9 a.m.; ceremony and walk begin at 9:30 a.m.
• To join the movement, register online at alz.org/walk

Participants will also receive event updates and resources from the Abilene Alzheimer’s Association team.

Alzheimer’s by the Numbers

1. More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease.
2. Over 11 million family members and friends provide unpaid care to people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
3. In Texas alone, more than 400,000 people are living with the disease, supported by over 1 million caregivers.

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Why It Matters

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s isn’t just about one morning in the park. It’s about raising awareness, funding research, supporting families, and holding onto hope for that day when someone survives Alzheimer’s.

So, mark your calendar, lace up your sneakers, and wear purple proudly. Abilene’s 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer’s is more than a walk; it’s a step toward a future without this devastating disease.