For Immediate Release: 
November 26, 2025

[email protected] 

Congresswoman Maxine Waters Joins Los Angeles Walk to End Alzheimer’s

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Co-Chair of the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease and Ranking Member of the Committee on Financial Services, joined more than 1,000 participants at the 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer’s - Los Angeles on November 22. The event, organized by the Alzheimer’s Association California Southland Chapter, raised nearly $440,000 to support care, support, and research programs for individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most urgent public health challenges facing the nation. More than 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, including hundreds of thousands of Californians, and nearly 12 million family members and friends provide unpaid care. In Los Angeles County, Alzheimer’s is the second leading cause of death among older adults.

At the opening ceremony of the Walk, Congresswoman Waters addressed participants and volunteers and highlighted the importance of sustained federal investment in research and caregiver support. “I have been honored to work with the Alzheimer's Association over the years to promote Alzheimer's research and improve the quality of life for Alzheimer's patients, families, and caregivers”, said Congresswoman Waters. “Together, we have made considerable progress. Funding for Alzheimer's research through the National Institutes of Health has increased more than sixfold over the last 10 years, as we have been working so hard, from 586 million dollars in 2015 to more than 3.8 billion dollars today.”

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s began as the “Memory Walk” in 1989 and has grown into the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. At the Los Angeles Walk, participants took part in the Promise Garden ceremony, where they carried colored flowers representing their personal connection to the disease and their shared commitment to a future without Alzheimer’s.

“We stand at a defining moment in the fight against Alzheimer’s, when hope is stronger than ever due to FDA-approved treatments and breakthrough research that can change lives and rewrite the future of this disease," said Lara Wickes, Walk to End Alzheimer’s Los Angeles Event Chair and Vice Chair of the Alzheimer’s Association CA Southland Board “Several of my dearest loved ones have recently passed away with Alzheimer's or dementia, so this cause is very near and dear to my heart. I walk for those I've lost and to make a difference for the future. Together we can take bold steps toward new treatments and, ultimately, a world without Alzheimer’s.”

Congresswoman Waters has long been a champion for Alzheimer’s patients, families, and caregivers. Last year, she introduced the Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Act (H.R. 10192), which would authorize grants to expand training and support services for unpaid caregivers and ensure that women, minorities, people living with disabilities, and underserved communities benefit from the program. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease, Congresswoman Waters continues to advocate for robust funding for the National Institutes of Health, stronger caregiver supports, and expanded access to high-quality care for those living with Alzheimer’s.

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