PRESS RELEASE

The Alzheimer’s Association and UnitedHealthcare Present the Walk to End Alzheimer’s

September 23, 2015
  • Walks in 41 cities across Texas Sept. 19 through Nov. 21
  • UnitedHealthcare contributes $100,000, becomes the first-ever statewide sponsor of Texas Walks in 34 cities

The Alzheimer’s Association and UnitedHealthcare are hosting The Walk to End Alzheimer’s® in 34 cities — including San Antonio, Austin, Temple, Ft. Worth and Brownsville — to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s — held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide — calls on people of all ages and abilities to participate. UnitedHealthcare will have booths at seven Walks where people can get information about Medicaid plans, information on upcoming health and wellness events, health education brochures, and the opportunity to speak to a UnitedHealthcare subject matter expert face-to-face. Walkers of all ages will be greeted by UnitedHealthcare mascot Dr. Health E. Hound, who will kick-off the Walk.

UnitedHealthcare booths and Dr. Health E. Hound will be at the Walk to End Alzheimer’s® in the following cities:

  • Dallas, Sept. 26, AT&T at American Airlines Center
  • Austin, Oct. 10, Camp Mabry
  • Ft. Worth, Oct. 24, Trinity Park
  • Brownsville, Nov.7, University of Texas Brownsville
  • Temple, Nov. 7, Pepper Creek Trails
  • Houston, Nov. 7, Minute Maid Park

UnitedHealthcare has committed $100,000 to the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s, becoming the first-ever statewide sponsor in Texas.

“The Alzheimer’s Association is grateful for UnitedHealthcare’s statewide sponsorship,” said Alexis Eaton, chief development officer of Alzheimer's Association Houston & Southeast Texas Chapter. “Their generous sponsorship supports our mission to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.”

According to the National Institute on Aging, experts suggest that more than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease and that this number will increase significantly if current population trends continue.

“The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is an important part of the Alzheimer’s Association’s efforts to support research for a disease for which there is no known cure or treatment,” said Don Langer, CEO of UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Texas, and chairman of the 2015 Houston Walk to End Alzheimer’s.  

People interested in joining one of the UnitedHealthcare Walk teams or starting a team of their own can sign up at http://act.alz.org/site/PageServer?pagename=walk_homepage

UnitedHealthcare serves more than 4 million Texans enrolled in employer-sponsored, Medicare and Medicaid health plans with a network of 67 hospitals and more than 63,000 physicians and other care providers statewide.

About UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people nationwide live healthier lives by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. The company offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers, military service members, retirees and their families, and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 850,000 physicians and care professionals, and 6,000 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company. For more information, visit UnitedHealthcare at www.uhc.com or follow @myUHC on Twitter.

About Walk to End Alzheimer’s
The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s unites the entire community – more than 450,000 participants that include family, friends, co-workers, social and religious groups and more – in a display of combined strength and dedication in the fight against this devastating disease. While there is no fee to register, each participant is encouraged to fundraise in order to contribute to the cause and raise awareness. The Alzheimer’s Association provides free, easy-to-use tools and staff support to help each participant reach their fundraising goal.  For more information, visit www.alz.org/walk.