CLINTON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
The battle against Alzheimer's continues for tens of thousands across the Magnolia State.
For those in the Jackson metro area, there's an opportunity to join forces with families also battling the disease at an event this weekend.
Gail Brown is training at her home in Clinton, getting ready for Saturday's walk to end Alzheimer's. The walk is appropriate for Brown who's been a foot soldier on the front lines of the battle against the debilitating brain disease.
Brown is honorary chairperson for this year's walk.
"One of the reasons I'm walking is so that other people won't have to go through that, that we can find a cure."
The walk is designed to raise awareness and money in hopes of one day developing a cure.
As the honorary chairperson for this year's walk, Brown has been sharing her story more lately. While empowering, it's also painful...reliving memories as a caregiver for her father, Howard Hargrove.
Brown's passion for the fight made her a natural choice to chair this year's walk, according to the Alzheimer's Association Mississippi Chapter's Outreach Coordinator Sara Murphy.
"…Her courage and her strength for coming out and sharing her story about her father and as a caregiver."
According to Murphy, there are 202,000 caregivers in Mississippi. A four thousand person increase of family members caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's since 2011.
With those numbers, Murphy emphasizes the importance of fellowship with others battling the disease at events such as the walk.
"It's a really great way to let them know that they are not alone. The Jackson/Metro community is here to help celebrate the fact that we're here to fight this disease," said Murphy.
While her father passed away two years ago, Brown continues the battle hoping to inspire others to act.
Families battling Alzheimer's disease are invited to the annual walk to end Alzheimer's.
The walk will be at the Mississippi Museum of Art in downtown Jackson and is scheduled for this Saturday, September 15.
Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the walk will start at 10.
There is no entrance fee, but donations are encouraged.
For information on the race or for help in dealing with Alzheimer's disease, call 1-800 272-3900.
Copyright 2012 WLBT. All rights reserved.
WLBT 3 - Fox 40
