By TARA JENNINGSLedger Staff Writer

Across the country, more than 4.5 million people have Alzheimer's. That number is expected to grow to possibly 16 million people by 2050.

On Oct. 15, Cherokee County will take part in the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk. Money raised from the walk will go towards research and provide respite care for Alzheimer's patients.

“Our walk comes on the heels of so many other charity events,” said walk co-chair Myra Byars. “I'm very involved with the other charities too. But this is a call that is dear to my heart. We feel we need to start our plans now. We need to work together to bring a greater awareness of the needs associated with Alzheimer's."

The walk is approximately a mile beginning at the Gaffney Elks Lodge. Registration begins at 9 a.m., with the kickoff to the walk at 10 a.m.

Teams or individuals may take part in the event. People who do not have a team can join other teams by contacting event organizers.

"Right now we are in the planning stages, but you can't start too early," Byars said.

Organizers hope to have entertainment during the Memory Walk as well as a silent auction, bake sale, hot dog sale, and children's carnival rides.

Monthly fundraisers are being planned until the Memory Walk beginning with a golf tournament at the Gaffney Country Club May 7. Door prizes and teams are still needed. For more information on the tournament or to donate a door prize, call Steve Taylor at 489-8286.

Local organizers are still in need of volunteers and corporate sponsors.

Corporate sponsors must be designated by June 1 to meet printing deadlines. Any business interested in becoming a sponsor should call co-chairs Debbie McCraw at 489-3101, or Myra Byars at 487-3166.

Anyone interested in volunteering for the Memory Walk should attend a meeting at noon April 13 at Sagebrush in Gaffney.

Meetings will be held at noon at Sagebrush every second Wednesday of the month.

The Alzheimer's Association is a national organization dedicated to providing education, information and assistance to individuals suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Gaffney is represented in the Upstate chapter of the Alzheimer's Association based in Spartanburg.

For more information on the Alzheimer's Association visit its Web site at www.alz.org.