In the last three years, the Cherokee Alzheimer’s/Dementia Caregivers Support Group has raised 25-thousand dollars for Alzheimer’s research and support programs.

That number will be going up following the “Going the Distance” Walk to End Alzheimer’s, which was held Saturday at the Cherokee County Health and Rehabilitation Activity/Education Building.

According to Margaret Eubanks with the Health and Rehab Center in the last six weeks, a Hot Dog and Karaoke event raised 351-dollars. Another 300-dollars was raised during the 1st ever Cherokee Rock Village 5K-Fun Run and Walk on September the 14th.

With t-shirt sales and donations, the group will have netted around 6-thousand dollars for the fight against Alzheimer’s.

During Saturday’s walk, Eubanks took time to honor participating Home Health Agencies and Hospices, members of the support care group and walk participants who raised at least 100-dollars each.

Prior to the walk getting underway, Eubanks recognized Edna Richardson and Martha Elders for their work leading up to the event. Richardson sold over 300 t-shirts by herself. Elders, meanwhile traveled across the area to bring in items for Saturday’s the silent auction.

Jan Carr was also recognized for her work, making the signs for the event.

Eubanks says next year’s event will be expanded, with the events leading up to the walk starting weeks earlier.

More than 65,000 people in the state of Alabama are affected by Alzheimers’, and that number doesn’t include the many others who are impacted as well including the family members who act as caregivers.

Funding for research is desperately needed and the Walk this weekend will go a long way toward providing more resources for those seeking a cure.

The Cherokee County Alzheimers’/Dementia Caregivers Support Group, meets the 3rd Thursday of each month at 6:00pm – at the Cherokee County Health & Rehab Center’s Activity/Education Building in Centre.

For additional information on those meetings, contact Margaret Eubanks at (256) 927-4307.