Niagara County: Caitlynne Kesty & Aneeta Shepardson named co-chairs of Walk to End Alzheimer's

Event will be held Oct. 18 at Reservoir Park

Alzheimer’s Association Press Release

Caitlynne Kesty and Aneeta Shepardson were named co-chairs of the 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Niagara County. Kesty is a purchaser at Amherst Stainless Fabrication and runs WNY Meat Raffles. Shepardson is a teacher with Lewiston-Porter.

"I walk for my Nana who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2020, on top of having multiple sclerosis,” Kesty said. “One day, we will find a cure and I will be proud to say that I helped do that. I walk for the millions with the disease and those yet to be diagnosed.”

“I walk for my Dad and Uncle Jack and the countless others who are suffering from this disease,” Shepardson said. “I walk with the hope for a cure.”

The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research programs. The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Niagara County will be held Saturday, Oct. 18, at Reservoir Park in Niagara Falls.

On walk day, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer’s with the poignant “Promise Garden” ceremony – a mission-focused experience that signifies solidarity in the fight against the disease. During the ceremony, walkers will carry flowers of various colors, each color representing their personal connection to the disease.

“This is a pivotal moment in the fight against Alzheimer’s. There are now treatments that change the course of the disease,” said Kaitlyn Less, director of development for the WNY Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. “We hope everyone in our community can join us by starting a team to help raise awareness and funds for families facing the disease, as well as funding research toward treatments that will finally end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.”

More than 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease – a leading cause of death in the U.S. Additionally, nearly 12 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In New York, there are more than 426,500 people living with the disease, and 656,000 caregivers.

To register or receive the latest updates on this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, visit alz.org/WNYwalk.

Since 1989, the Alzheimer’s Association has mobilized millions of Americans in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk; now the Alzheimer’s Association is continuing to lead the way with Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Its mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Visit alz.org or call 800-272-3900.