ST. LOUIS, Feb. 21, 2019 — Financial services firm Edward Jones, the first national presenting sponsor for the Alzheimer’s Association annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s®, raised $3.3 million in 2018 through its 3,578 teams across the country. The firm’s total contributions in support of the alliance last year topped $6 million, surpassing its 2017 contributions of $4.8 million.
The Walk to End Alzheimer’s® is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.
“We strive to make a positive difference for our clients and our communities, and this is one way we can make a substantial impact. Too many of us have witnessed the devastation that this disease causes for those with the diagnosis, their friends, families and other caregivers,” said Jeff Panchot, the principal leading the Edward Jones Older Adult Council. “Now in our third year of the strategic alliance with the Alzheimer’s Association, our associates continue to raise the bar on giving back.”
The strategic alliance, which began in 2016, has several facets. Edward Jones has worked with the Alzheimer’s Association to create the Edward Jones Alzheimer’s Research Fund, a targeted effort to accelerate research on treatment methods, prevention and, ultimately, a cure. The Alzheimer’s Association also provides educational programs for Edward Jones associates so they can share resources with clients.
“As the Alzheimer’s Association strives to engage more volunteers in meaningful roles, Edward Jones associates have stepped up as leaders in the fight by joining Walk to End Alzheimer’s planning committees, chapter boards and as volunteer advocates to help advance our efforts for increased Alzheimer’s research funding at the federal level,” said Donna McCullough, Alzheimer’s Association Chief Development Officer.
Alzheimer’s disease is the nation’s sixth-leading cause of death and the only disease among the top 10 causes that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. In the United States alone, more than 5 million people are living with the terminal brain disease, and this number is set to skyrocket to nearly 14 million by 2050 unless more effective treatments are found.