Purple Evening on 5th in Naples raises money, awareness for Alzheimer’s

Music and dancing for a good cause. Purple filled up 5th Avenue South in Naples on Thursday night. It was all to raise money for Alzheimer’s research.

The disease affects many people in the US and Florida. More than half a million Floridians battle the brain disease. It’s a serious public health issue with no cure, but events like the one in Naples hope to change that.

“Our goal tonight is $35,000,” said Felicia Saraceno, the event’s co-chair.

Purple Evening on 5th is made possible through donations.

“All the businesses on 5th Avenue have been so generous,” said volunteer Carolyn Tieger.

Also generous are the volunteers who worked for months to make the event come together.

“An event like this shows the various resources that are available in Collier County to help somebody who is living at home to get those resources,” said Saraceno.

Proceeds from Purple Evening on 5th will go to various arms in the fight against Alzheimer’s.

“Some of it will go to research some of it will go to respite care some of it will go to education,” said Tracy Brady, the event’s co-chair.

Some of the money will also go toward funding clinical trials.

Memory loss, confusion, anxiety, and aggression are symptoms of Alzheimer’s. The disease is becoming more and more prevalent, especially here in Florida.

“If we don’t find a cure or a treatment that works it’s just going to continue to escalate,” said Tieger.

Events like this also offer education to try and end any stigma surrounding dementia.

“It’s incredibly important to bring awareness to this so that others understand it and they know that they are not living alone with it,” said Brady.

They are far from alone. It is estimated that 5.8 million Americans have Alzheimer’s. The hope is there will be a survivor one day.

“There’s no contribution too small to help us end all ALZ. We say it,” said Brady.

If you could not make it to Thursday’s event but want to donate, you can do so by clicking here.