HoliMont Hosts Pedals 4 Progress to Support Alzheimer’s Research and Awareness
HoliMont Hosts Pedals 4 Progress to Support Alzheimer’s Research and Awareness
Bike for a cause on August 9 as HoliMont opens its bike park for Pedals 4 Progress, a fundraiser benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association’s fight to end dementia.
It’s a disease that kills more people than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined, and in 2025, will cost the U.S. $384 billion. Yes, Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia affect far more Americans than many realize. In fact, according to the Alzheimer’s Association 2025 Facts and Figures report, over seven million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and one in three older adults dies with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. Join the mission to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia by taking part in Pedals 4 Progress at HoliMont on Saturday, August 9th!
Pedals 4 Progress is a special event in support of The Longest Day, which is the Alzheimer’s Association’s national fundraiser to advance the care, support and research efforts to end Alzheimer's and other dementia. Kiernan Hayward, development manager of the Alzheimer’s Association WNY Chapter explained, “The Longest Day is celebrated on June 21st, which is the summer solstice - the longest day of the year, and it’s to commemorate sundowning and Alzheimer's and dementia. The fundraising event takes place all year ‘round; it’s not strictly for June 21st, so we have fundraisers through the association that people do throughout the year.”
Fundraisers are often based on the passions and talents of the organizers, Hayward explained, and include everything from musical performances to meat raffles. Speaking of Alzheimer's disease, Hayward said, “It affects a lot more people than many think. And so seeing all these people do fundraisers and do it for their loved ones is a very rewarding thing to be able to witness firsthand.”
Pedals 4 Progress is a new event that HoliMont is partnering with the Alzheimer's Association to host. “Pedals 4 Progress is an idea that we struck up with HoliMont about opening their bike park for the day, and part of the proceeds from the tickets for bike park admissions will go directly to the Alzheimer’s Association,” Hayward explained. “It’s going to be a fun-filled day! People can come up and do something that they normally would like to do - ride their bike - and it helps out the Alzheimer’s Association with their mission!” The event is family-friendly and perfect for experienced bike riders and newbies, too.
Already planning to be out and about for the first day of Taste of Ellicottville on August 9th? Why not kick off the fun by heading to HoliMont first for a bike ride as part of Pedals 4 Progress? A full-day pass is $55 and can be purchased online in advance through HoliMont’s website at holimont.com/events/. Click on “Pedals for Progress” and then select the “END ALZ” pass or use the flyer QR code in this week’s issue of ellicottvilleNOW for direct purchase of the Pedals 4 Progress pass. Hayward explained, “All the funds that the Alzheimer's Association raises goes right to the research and hopefully the eventual cure of Alzheimer's and dementia, but we also strive to provide resources, support groups, and programs for those who are dealing with it and those who have loved ones who are dealing with it… Being that provider, that caregiver for someone going through it is just a really hard thing to deal with, too, so we strive to highlight and support that aspect as well.
To learn more about the Alzheimer's Association, including their research efforts, resources, fundraising opportunities, and more, visit www.alz.org or call the association’s 24/7 helpline at 800-272-3900. Remember to mark your calendar for September 27th for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Jamestown Community College’s Olean campus. Those currently living with Alzheimer’s and dementia are invited to participate, as well as caregivers, those who lost a loved one who had dementia, and general supporters of the association’s mission to find a cure.