Karsten Jacobson, an Edward Jones financial advisor in Ponte Vedra Beach, will participate in a portion of a transcontinental walk on Tuesday, Aug. 28 to raise awareness of Alzheimer's disease.
Jacobson is one of more than 1,000 Edward Jones financial advisors and branch office administrators participating in the event. His leg of the trip will see him walk on A1A in Ponte Vedra Beach until he hits Ponte Vedra Boulevard.
Known as “Walk Across America,” the 16-week, relay-style event launched by Edward Jones will encompass 3,100 miles through 12 states. The oldest city on each coast serves as the trailhead for the event, leaving from San Diego July 9 and from St. Augustine Aug. 27.
Each team will carry a hand-carved walking stick harvested from the farm of Ted Jones, the son of the firm's founder Edward Jones Sr., to signify solidarity in the fight to raise awareness. Each stick will be passed from one walker to the next.
The overall trek will culminate Oct. 28 in St. Louis, the site of Edward Jones’ North American headquarters.
Jacobson said he decided to participate in the walk because he has family and clients who have been affected by Alzheimer's and he wants to make people aware of the disease and how it affects families.
"It's a huge burden and not only emotionally but financially," he said. " I just want to make sure people are aware that it affects way more people than people realize ... I've spoken to the support groups about providing presentations and trying to give as much information or help that I can for this."
In January 2016, Edward Jones entered an alliance with the Alzheimer's Association and committed $4.7 million over two years to enhance the Association's care and support programs, provide educational materials and fund Alzheimer's research and awareness efforts.
Additionally, the financial services company created the Edward Jones Alzheimer's Research Fund and signed on as the first national presenting sponsor for Walk to End Alzheimer’s — which is unaffiliated with the Walk Across America.
