Okaloosa County residents gathered at Northwest Florida State College in Niceville on Nov. 1 for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, raising funds and awareness for a disease that affects more than 12% of Floridians age 65 and older.

• Participants walked through the campus carrying colorful flowers symbolizing their personal connection to Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Blue flowers represented those living with the disease, yellow honored caregivers, purple remembered loved ones lost, and orange showed support for a future without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.

Brook Batson, who worked in senior care for more than 17 years in both assisted living and memory care, said the cause became personal when her father-in-law was diagnosed with the disease.

“Surround yourself with those who understand what you are going through,” Batson said. “Manage it as a family, as it takes a village.”

More than 7 million Americans are estimated to be living with Alzheimer’s, a progressive brain disease that affects memory, thinking and behavior, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Florida has the second-highest number of residents living with the disease.

Tina Henson, a development manager for Walk to End Alzheimer’s, said the event serves as a major gathering for families affected by the disease.

• “This Walk is the biggest support group of the year,” Henson said. “By participating in this event, we’re not only funding critical research and treatments, but also bringing families together to support each other and realize they are not alone.”

Continued funding for research has led to new FDA-approved treatments that can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. However, they say these treatments are available only in the early stages of the disease.

The event was nationally presented by Edward Jones and locally presented by Emerald Coast Hospice Care. Participants have raised more than $26,000 for Alzheimer’s care, support, research, advocacy and awareness initiatives through the Alzheimer’s Association Central and North Florida Chapter.

For more information or to donate, visit alz.org/Walk.