Actors and Artists Unite for the Walk to End Alzheimer's Boasts 29 Teams So Far in 2014

It began in May of 2011 via a series of phone calls and emails by Nancy Daly, Washington DC hometown actor, to her fellow actor friends around the country -- "Gang- I have this idea . . ." By September, four teams walked in Washington DC, New York City, Miami and Los Angeles and raised $23,000 in their first year. In 2013, Actors and Artists Unite became the first and only non-corporate National Team for the Walk to End Alzheimer's. Today -- going into their second year as a national team -- they have raised over $90,000 for the Alzheimer's Association -- and still climbing!

Nancy Daly, Founder and National Team Captain, states:

"I'm from Washington DC -- one of the greatest and most dedicated theatre communities in the country. They all stepped up -- if they couldn't walk, they sent out emails and posted on Facebook -- challenged each other to support us. And word spread -- in New York, in LA, Miami. We built this team by word of mouth and the internet. We had to become national! So many people responded to articles about our team on DCMetroTheatreArts.com and BroadwayWorld.com -- 'I'm walking in Virginia! I'm walking in Texas!' Through this team, I have discovered the compassion and strength of the artistic community around the country. In 2014, we have 29 teams so far -- Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, New Haven, Long Island, New Jersey, St. Charles, MO -- my cousins are walking! Four in Ohio and more teams join us every week. So I would say -- come join us! All are welcome! You can join any of our existing teams -- or start one of your own. Anyone can start an Actors and Artists Unite team in any city that has a Walk to End Alzheimer's.

"I walk for my mom -- who died in 2012, for my dad who was my mom's caregiver and for my aunt. I walk for my team and everyone that they have lost or are losing. I walk for anyone who knows how heartbreaking it is to look in the eyes of someone you love and have them not know you- to watch them fade away until they can no longer speak or move. This is Alzheimer's.

"I walk because through the commitment and solidarity of this amazing team -- we walk in glory. Our team motto is, 'When Actors and Artists Unite -- the World can Shift!', and it has. So feel free to step up and take the Alzheimer's awareness challenge in the YouTube video! Challenge your friends! And join us. Come walk with us! Slainte!!"