Thousands show up for Memory Walk Sat.

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Thousands came out for the annual Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk to raise money for the 5.3 million Americans with Alzheimer’s Saturday.

Ceremonies began around 11:00 a.m. and the walk followed at 12:00 p.m.

Alzheimer's disease is a growing epidemic that is now the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. It is estimated that someone in America develops Alzheimer's disease every 70 seconds. By mid-century someone will develop Alzheimer's disease every 33 seconds.

"There has never been a greater need for the citizens of Fort Wayne to join in the fight against Alzheimer's disease by participating in Memory Walk," said Melissa Barile, with the Greater Indiana Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. "As many as 5.3 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease and funds raised will provide support services to the 120,000 residents of Indiana living with Alzheimer's, while also contributing to critically needed research."

The Alzheimer's Association is the world leader in Alzheimer's research and support. Having awarded more than $265 million to nearly 1,800 research projects, the Alzheimer's Association is the largest private funder of Alzheimer research. The Association's vision is a world without Alzheimer's disease.

Exact totals for Saturday’s event have not been released yet.

For more information go to www.alz.org/indiana.