Cedar City

Cedar City Steps Up to End Alzheimer’s Sept. 19

Learn about the Alzheimer's Association and advances in Alzheimer's research
Cedar City Insider Staff

Cedar City Insider Staff

Sep 15, 2026

48 Comments

Alzheimer's disease remains one of the most devastating challenges faced by families in Cedar City and across Utah.

 

Every year, local residents join together with caregivers and supporters to offer a strong network for those impacted by Alzheimer's.

 

This commitment is especially visible during the annual Cedar City Walk to End Alzheimer’s, an event backed by the Alzheimer's Association that serves as a rallying point for fundraising and awareness.

 

The emotional toll of this disease can be overwhelming for many families.

 

Events like the Walk not only provide hope—they fuel action in the fight against Alzheimer's.

 

Recent reports indicate that thousands in Utah are currently living with Alzheimer's disease, and many more serve as caregivers, offering critical support at all hours.

 

The Alzheimer's Association's Utah chapter continues to be a lifeline, offering free resources, education sessions, and support groups locally in Cedar City and online statewide.

 

Officials note that early detection and support programs have expanded, and families are encouraged to seek help as soon as concerns arise.

 

Locally, advocates continue to push for greater understanding and funding for Alzheimer's research, hoping to see advancements in both treatment and prevention.

 

Research has become a beacon of hope for many residents, with global efforts led by organizations like the Alzheimer's Association making promising strides.

 

Cedar City residents have unique opportunities to participate in fundraising or volunteer activities, from joining caregiver workshops to taking part in community walks or memory cafes organized by local volunteers.

 

With new developments in research and ongoing local engagement, there is a sense of cautious optimism about what the future may hold for those battling Alzheimer's disease.

 

The continued collaboration between families, advocates, and the Alzheimer's Association ensures that those diagnosed in Cedar City are never alone in their journey.

48 Comments

Join the conversation

  • LP
    Linda Park· Sep 19, 8:24 PM

    no one should have to go through alzheimers alone. Glad the association is here locally

    • GL
      Gretchen L.· Sep 21, 7:01 PM

      Linda ParkCompletely agree. My mom was diagnosed two years ago and having a local support group made such a difference. We didn't feel like we were figuring it out alone.

  • C
    cody_utah· Sep 19, 8:13 PM

    would love to see more local businesses sponsor this walk and get involved

  • MT
    Mary Jo T.· Sep 18, 11:24 PM

    been attending the cedar city walk for four years now. Its always a really powerful morning

  • KA
    Kevin Ashworth· Sep 18, 10:33 PM

    good reminder to check on family members if you notice any memory changes early on

  • SL
    Sandra Leigh· Sep 17, 11:43 PM

    lost my husband to this disease two years ago. These events remind me people care

  • RC
    Robert Castillo· Sep 17, 11:28 PM

    Early detection makes such a difference from what I've seen with family. Really glad they are pushing that message more.

    • MC
      Melinda Crossley· Sep 19, 8:00 AM

      Robert CastilloSame here. We caught my dad's early and it really did give us more time to plan and adjust as a family. Wish more doctors were upfront about bringing it up.

  • LT
    Lori Tanner· Sep 17, 9:59 PM

    Walked two years in a row now. The atmosphere is really something, so many people showing up for the same reason. Worth getting involved.

    • R
      rosanne_cedar· Sep 18, 1:19 PM

      Lori TannerThe first year I walked I honestly teared up seeing how many people came out. You realize real quick how many families are quietly going through the same thing.

  • C
    curt_m87· Sep 17, 7:52 PM

    Cautious optimism is right. Been hearing about breakthroughs for years and progress feels slow. Still hope they get there though.

    • TG
      Tom Greer· Sep 19, 9:09 AM

      curt_m87I hear you. Progress does feel slow when you're living it up close. But from what I've read they actually know a lot more about the disease than they did even ten years ago, so I try to hold onto that.

  • DW
    Derek Winn· Sep 17, 4:36 PM

    cautious optimism is the right way to put it. Hopeful but we need way more funding

  • PO
    Patty Olsen· Sep 17, 2:57 PM

    the online support groups are a great option for people outside cedar city who cant travel

  • J
    james_cc87· Sep 17, 2:34 PM

    never thought something like this would hit our family but it did. Glad the walk exists

    • V
      vegasnative_now_utahn· Sep 18, 9:51 AM

      james_cc87That's exactly how it goes for so many families. You never expect it and then suddenly your whole routine changes. Really glad you found some support through it.

  • DF
    Dana Fife· Sep 17, 2:00 AM

    Caregiver here. It is exhausting work around the clock. Really appreciate that there are free resources available locally because not everyone can afford extra help.

    • KA
      Kim Aldridge· Sep 17, 10:00 AM

      Dana FifeThank you for everything you do. Caregiving is genuinely one of the hardest jobs there is and most people have no idea until they're in it themselves.

  • LM
    Liz Monson· Sep 17, 12:52 AM

    my sister volunteers every year at the walk. She says the turnout always surprises her

  • BF
    Bob Frandsen· Sep 16, 10:56 PM

    good to see funding being pushed for locally. Research needs all the support it can get

    • C
      craig_cedar· Sep 17, 3:53 AM

      Bob FrandsenAgreed. And a lot of people don't realize how underfunded Alzheimer's research has been compared to other diseases. Every dollar from these local events adds up.

  • JL
    Jerry L.· Sep 16, 8:31 PM

    Thousands in Utah living with this and we still don't talk about it enough. Glad events like the walk keep it in front of people.

    • D
      dwight_cc22· Sep 17, 1:32 AM

      Jerry L.Agreed. It tends to get lumped in with just normal aging and people brush it off. More open conversation would go a long way.

  • TG
    Tina Grayson· Sep 16, 8:06 PM

    thousands in utah living with this and we still dont talk about it enough

  • SN
    Steve Nielson· Sep 16, 1:01 PM

    caregiver workshops would have been so helpful when we first got my moms diagnosis

  • C
    carol_m· Sep 15, 9:02 AM

    went to one of their education sessions last spring. Learned a lot more than i expected

    • TR
      Tammy Jo R.· Sep 16, 1:22 AM

      carol_mSame here. I went thinking it would just be basic stuff but they covered things my family had never even thought to ask the doctor about. Worth going even if you just have a few questions.

  • PH
    Phil Hammons· Sep 15, 8:48 AM

    research still has a long way to go but its good to see progress being made

  • RD
    Rosa Delgado· Sep 15, 8:31 AM

    cedar city is a small town but we show up big for things like this. Proud of this community

    • MT
      Mike Thorn· Sep 15, 10:38 PM

      Rosa DelgadoSeriously Cedar City always comes through. Saw the turnout at last year's walk and was really impressed for a town this size.

  • PO
    Patrice Owens· Sep 15, 7:59 AM

    The memory cafes are a great idea. My neighbor didn't even know those existed until I told her. More people need to hear about them.

    • GH
      Greg Holman· Sep 15, 11:07 PM

      Patrice OwensA lot of people don't know about the support groups either. The association has some good free ones online too if getting around town is hard for the caregiver.

  • NB
    Nathan B.· Sep 15, 7:49 AM

    the alzheimers association has been a lifeline for our family honestly

  • AC
    Amanda Cluff· Sep 15, 5:52 AM

    early detection is so important. Wish we had caught my dads sooner

    • DK
      Dave Kimball· Sep 15, 7:52 PM

      Amanda CluffI'm so sorry about your dad. The signs can be so easy to miss at first. Hoping things are going okay for your family now.

  • GP
    Greg Poulsen· Sep 15, 5:48 AM

    glad to see local volunteers stepping up. Makes a difference when it hits close to home

  • SW
    Sherry W.· Sep 15, 5:33 AM

    memory cafes are such a good idea. My neighbor goes and says it really helps

    • PN
      Patrice N.· Sep 15, 8:35 PM

      Sherry W.My aunt started going to one too and she actually looks forward to it every week. It gets people out of the house and around others who understand what they're dealing with.

  • M
    mike_t· Sep 15, 5:25 AM

    been a caregiver for my wife for 3 years now. This community keeps me going

  • DA
    Donna Ashby· Sep 15, 5:19 AM

    the support groups they offer are free which is huge for families that are already stretched thin

  • RF
    Ray Fontaine· Sep 15, 5:12 AM

    good cause. Cedar city always shows up for stuff like this

  • MR
    Mike R.· Sep 15, 4:36 AM

    Good to see Cedar City getting behind this. Too many families around here dealing with it quietly on their own.

    • B
      becky_suv· Sep 15, 6:43 PM

      Mike R.So true. A lot of families just suffer in silence because they don't know where to turn. Events like this at least let people know they aren't alone.

  • TM
    Todd Merrill· Sep 15, 3:30 AM

    my grandpa had alzheimers for 6 years. This walk means a lot to our family

    • LF
      Lisa Fenton· Sep 16, 1:46 AM

      Todd MerrillSix years is such a long journey for a family. Thank you for still showing up and supporting the walk. It really does mean something to people going through it right now.

  • TH
    Todd Hepworth· Sep 15, 2:43 AM

    My grandpa was diagnosed three years ago and the support group through the Alzheimer's Association has been a lifeline for our whole family honestly.

  • BK
    Brenda K.· Sep 15, 1:30 AM

    We walked last year as a family in honor of my mom. Such a meaningful morning. Highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't gone yet.

  • BK
    Brenda K.· Sep 15, 12:53 AM

    walked last year with my mom and it was really moving. So many families out there going through the same thing

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