Want to walk a mile to help fight Alzheimer’s disease?

The annual Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk, sponsored by the mid-Missouri chapter, will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at Highway Gardens on the Missouri State Fairgrounds.

Money raised by sponsored walkers and donations at the event will go to the chapter to help provide educational, financial, and other types of support for Alzheimer patients and their families.

Nancy Embry, a member of the walk’s organizing committee, said the chapter helps pay for a support group that meets at Bothwell Regional Health Center on the second Tuesday of every month.

Funds also help provide library materials to help educate people about the disease, as well as some financial support of caregivers.

The association also provides assistance for the Safe Return program that registers Alzheimer sufferers with local law enforcement.

The event coordinator, Shelley Spinner, said the walk usually draws about 300 participants. Last year’s event drew about 250 people and raised $23,500.