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Friday, October 3, 2025AfiSectionindianapolisrecorder.comBy HANNA RAUWORTHhannar@indyrecorder.comThe Indianapolis community will take strides toward a future without Alzheimer%u2019s on Saturday, Oct. 4, during the annual Walk to End Alzheimer%u2019s at IUI%u2019s Michael A. Carroll Stadium.Hosted by the Alzheimer%u2019s Association Greater Indiana Chapter, the walk brings together families, friends and neighbors to honor those affected by the disease while raising funds for research and support services.%u201cThis is a pivotal moment in the fight against Alzheimer%u2019s,%u201d said Morgan Jessup, walk director for the Walk to End Alzheimer%u2019s %u2013 Indianapolis. %u201cThere are now treatments that change the course of the disease. We hope that everyone in our community can join us by starting a team to help the Alzheimer%u2019s Association raise awareness and funds for families facing the disease today, take more steps toward treatments and ultimately a cure.%u201dLocal impact and fundraising successAlzheimer%u2019s disease affects more than 121,000 Hoosiers and 219,000 family caregivers across Indiana, according to the Alzheimer%u2019s Association. Nationally, more than 7 million Americans live with the disease, while nearly 12 million friends and family members provide care.Indianapolis has become a leader in fundraising efforts for Alzheimer%u2019s research and care. Last year, the local walk raised over $1.4 million, making it the fourth-largest walk out of more than 600 events nationwide.In 2024, the 13 Walk to End Alzheimer%u2019s events across Greater Indiana raised a combined $2.5 million.%u201cWe are so grateful to this community for leading the way to end this disease %u2013 in more ways than one,%u201d said Natalie Sutton, executive director of the Alzheimer%u2019s Association Greater Indiana Chapter. %u201cNot only is Indianapolis one of the top cities in the country when it comes to fundraising, we are home to some of the most exciting dementia research. Thenew era of treatment, research advancements and hope would not be possible without the support and stewardship of Hoosiers. Together we have made tremendous progress %u2013 but we won%u2019t stop fighting until there is a cure.%u201dOrganizers have set a goal of $1.58 million for this year%u2019s walk.Promise Garden ceremonyOne of the most symbolic moments of the event is the Promise Garden ceremony, held before participants set out on the walk. During the ceremony, walkers hold flowers in different colors to represent their personal connection to the disease: those living with Alzheimer%u2019s, caregivers, individuals who have lost someone to the disease and supporters of the cause.The garden serves as a visual tribute and reminder of the collective effort needed to fight Alzheimer%u2019s.A growing need for actionThe Alzheimer%u2019s Association reports that Alzheimer%u2019s disease remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States. As the population ages, the number of Americans affected by the disease continues to rise, along with the demand for support and treatment options.September is World Alzheimer%u2019s Month, a time when communities worldwide focus on raising awareness and taking action against dementia. Events like the Indianapolis walk play a vital role in funding services for families while also contributing to groundbreaking research.Registration and sponsorsThose interested in participating can register online at act.alz.org/indianapolis.The Indianapolis walk is made possible by support from local and national sponsors, including Edward Jones, Eli Lilly and Company, Leo Brown Group, OneAmerica Financial, Anthem, City Wide Facility Solutions, CNO Financial Group, Salesforce, Traditions Management LLC and Indiana University Health.The event is part of a nationwide effort organized by the Alzheimer%u2019s Association, which has hosted walks since 1989. Now known as the Walk to End Alzheimer%u2019s, it is the world%u2019s largest event dedicated to raising awareness and funds for Alzheimer%u2019s care, support and research.For more information and updates, visit act.alz.org/indianapolis.This reporting is made possible by a grant from the Indianapolis AfricanAmerican Quality of Life Initiative, empowering our community with essential health insights.%u00a0https://iaaqli.org/Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.Step by step, Indianapolis fights back against Alzheimer%u2019sParticipants from the 2024 Walk to End Alzheimer%u2019s. (Photo/Alzheimer%u2019s Association, Greater Indiana Chapter)ACTION Health Center to Host Flu Shot Clinics The best way to reduce your risk from seasonal fl u and its potenti ally serious complicati ons is to get a fl u vaccine every year. To help protect the community, the Marion County Public Health Department%u2019s ACTION Health Center is off ering free fl u shots at two upcoming clinics:%u2022 Tuesday, Oct. 7 from 8 a.m. unti l Noon%u2022 Thursday, Oct. 9 from 1 p.m. unti l 5 p.m.ACTION Health Center is located near 29th and Meridian streets at 2868 Pennsylvania Street and is on the IndyGo bus line. Appointments for the free fl u vaccine are available by calling (317) 221-3400. Millicent Moye, M.D., director of ACTION Health Center, said the fl u can be especially harmful to young children, seniors and those with asthma, diabetes, heart disease or other chronic conditi ons. %u201cGetti ng the fl u shot is the most eff ecti ve way to protect yourself and family from infl uenza,%u201d said Dr. Moye. %u201cVaccinated people are less likely to get the fl u, and if they do, they are less likely to experience severe fl u-related illness, hospitalizati on and even death.%u201d While ACTION Health Center typically provides medical services for residents from birth through age 26, these two fl u clinics are open to residents of any age at no cost. %u201cDo you really have ti me to be sick?%u201d Dr. Moye asked. %u201cGet the fl u shot and protect yourself and your family.%u201d Besides the fl u shot and other immunizati ons, the health center off ers a range of services including physical exams, lab testi ng, sexual health exams, wellness exams, daycare physicals, mental health exams and treatment, and mental health counseling. Pati ents could also receive referrals to other MCPHD departments such as nutriti on, healthy homes, and community-based care. ACTION Health Center accepts most insurance plans and is committ ed to serving underinsured or uninsured pati ents. When applicable, pati ents can be referred to insurance navigators through Covering Kids & Families of Health & Hospital Corporati on. Appointments and more informati on are available by calling (317) 221-3400. Smoking While Pregnant Aff ects Mom and Baby For women, smoking during pregnancy can cause preterm birth, certain birth defects, and sti llbirth. Even secondhand tobacco smoke puts a woman and her developing baby at risk for health problems. Babies who breathe in other people%u2019s tobacco smoke are more likely to have ear infecti ons and lung infecti ons, like bronchiti s and pneumonia. If they already have asthma, breathing in secondhand smoke can trigger asthma att acks. Quitti ng smoking before getti ng pregnant is best, but quitti ng as early as possible can sti ll help protect against some health problems for developing babies. While quitti ng can be hard, the benefi ts are a healthy baby and many more years of good health to enjoy them. Anyone who wants to quit smoking can talk to a healthcare provider about strategies. Other support, including free quit coaching and referrals to local resources, is available through the Indiana Tobacco Quitline, 1-800-Quit-Now or online at QuitNowIndiana.com. Indianapolis Healthy Start, a program of the Marion County Public Health Department, off ers educati on, referral and support services to pregnant women and their families to eliminate the dispariti es in birth outcomes. For more informati on, please call (317) 221-2317.fifffffflffifl%u001a%u001a%u0019%u0018%u0017%u0016%u0015%u0014fi%u0013%u0018%u0012fffi%u0011%u0010%u0017%u0013%u000f%u0016%u000e%u0012%u0013%u0019%u0016%u0014%u000f%u0011%u0010%u0015%u0019fifffflffifl%u001a%u0019%u0018%u0017%u0018%u0016%u0019%u0015%u0018%u0015%u0019%u0014%u0013%u0012%u0011%u0019%u0018%u0011%u0010%u0017%u0011%u0018fl%u000f%u0019%u001a%u0013%u0018%u0017%u0018%u0013%u0011%u001a%u0019%u0013%u0013%u000e%u001a%u0019%u0019%u000c%u0018%u000b%u0009%u0008%u0007%u0019%u0016%u0011%u000e%u001a%u0019%u0019%u0018ffl%u0017%u0011%u0010%u0018%u0011fl%u0018%u0007%u0019%u0016%u0011%u0017ffi%u0018%u0015%u0019ffiffi%u0016%u0019%u0013%u0013%u0006%u0018%u0005%u0013%u0013%u0019%u0013%u0013%u0018%u0004fl%u001a%u0018%u0007%u0019%u0016%u0011%u0017ffi%u0018%u0015%u0019ffiffi%u000e%u0014%u0019%u0012%u0016%u0008%u0018%u0015%u0010%u0012ffi%u0019%u0018%u0017ffi%u0013fl%u0018%u0014%u0019%u0012%u0016%u0008%u0018%u0003fl%u0016%u0016%u0019%u0003%u0011%u0019%u0009%u0018%u0011fl%u0018%u001a%u0019%u0013fl%u001a%u0003%u0019%u0013%u0018%u0011%u0010%u0017%u0011%u0018%u0012%u0011%u0018%u0004fl%u001a%u0018ffi%u0012%u0019%u0013%u0011%u0004ffi%u0019%u0006%u0018fi%u0007%u0014%u001a%u0017%u0003%u0019%u0018%u0017%u0018ffl%u001a%u0012%u0017%u0011%u0019%u0018%u0017%u0016%u0009%u0018%u0019%u0007fflfl%u0015%u0019%u001a%u0012%u0016%u0008%u0018%u0019ffffl%u0019%u001a%u0012%u0019%u0016%u0003%u0019%u0018fl%u0016%u0018%u0004fl%u001a%u0018%u0011%u0019%u001a%u0007%u0013%u0006