Alzheimer’s Disease has no preventive measures. It has no treatment. It has no cure.

It does have a massive awareness campaign that is slowly but surely funding research to end the disease once and for all.

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is held annually in more than 600 communities around the nation to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

Last year was Bainbridge’s first time holding the event, and the community showed up in flying colors. The Bainbridge walk raised more than $73,000, blowing its target goal of $18,000 out of the water. More than 300 people showed up the morning of the walk to raise awareness and talk with people who have been affected by the disease.

The walk stretched down Shotwell Street and back up Broughton Street. It was a powerful image.

This year, the Bainbridge committee has an $85,000 goal, and hopes even more people come out for the event on Saturday, Oct. 20.

“It’s just about raising awareness and getting together with people who have been through a common disease,” said committee member Jean Reynolds. “It was so successful, and the community was so generous.”

The numbers for Alzheimer’s are alarming. One in three seniors dies from it or another dementia. More than five million Americans are living with the disease. It’s the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S.

“It kills more than prostate and breast cancer combined,” said Reynolds.

The ones who have Alzheimer’s aren’t the only ones affected, either. Caregivers devote time, money and resources into making the lives of their loved ones as comfortable as possible. In 2017, 16 million caregivers of people living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias provided an estimated 18.4 billion hours of unpaid care, a contribution to the nation valued at more than $232 billion.

“There is really an urgency to make progress with the research because it is going to save lives,” said Thea Burke, another committee member for Bainbridge’s Walk to end Alzheimer’s. “This is a terrible disease.”

Every registered participant will receive a T-shirt after fundraising a minimum of $100. There are also multiple sponsorship opportunities available for the Bainbridge Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

As of Tuesday, Aug. 7, the Bainbridge Walk to End Alzheimer’s has raised $14,340, 17 percent of its goal. There are currently 39 participants and 19 teams signed up. To register, contact Dan Phillips at (404) 654-7677 or email at dphillips@alz.org. Jean Reynolds is also available for contact and to discuss sponsorships at (229) 400-3990 or jeancr@earthlink.net.

Bainbridge’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be held Saturday, Oct. 20. Registration will begin at 8 a.m., with a ceremony at 9 a.m. and the walk at 9:30 a.m.