It is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, and a disease where there is no cure or prevention.
Which is why Sunday had an important meaning for one event in mid-Michigan.
"Alzheimer's is such a cruel disease because it robs so much of beautiful people and beautiful memories and everyone here wants a cure so those stories and those memories can be passed on," Kip Bohne said.
More than 1,000 gathered at the Capital to participate in the 20th annual Lansing Walk to End Alzheimer's. In America, there are over five million people with the disease and affects almost 200,000 Michiganders.
"We've learned so much about the disease that we didn't know before, and had we known that when we were going through it with my mom, it would have made the experience so much different and better and enriching because we were going through it blindly," Jack Weyers said.
"The number one thing is that you're not alone in this, today is just a small part of the proof--thirteen hundred people walking in support. So many people that are living and trying to manage it on their own, but you're not alone," Jennifer Howard Executive Director of the Alzheimer's Association, Michigan Great Lakes Chapter said.
Looking around, you could see lots of flowers in the crowd. For the people in attendance, they were more than just plants, they were representing their family members.
"When I was looking out at that sea of flowers...I kind of got choked up. You realize how many lives it affects, and how dedicated people are to finding a cure," Bohne said.
But there is a new white flower representing the first survivor, whenever that may be.
"Being able to participate is so meaningful, and I'm so hopeful that more money is going towards research and the chances of a cure are getting better and better," Bohne said.
