NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – More than 800 people are signed up to fill Argenta Plaza in North Little Rock this weekend for the Central Arkansas Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

This is one of 600 walks held annually across the country to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research.

The walk will be Saturday, Nov. 8, at 510 N. Main St. Registration opens at 9 a.m., followed by a Promise Garden ceremony and the Walk at 10 a.m. 

Walk Manager Ian Shuttleworth said this year’s walk will carry a special message of hope due to new treatments emerging that target the cause of Alzheimer’s rather than just the symptoms.

“Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease that impacts the entire family, and the Walk is an opportunity for those families to come together, support each other and honor their loved ones,” Shuttleworth said.

In Arkansas, more than 60,000 people are living with Alzheimer’s and about 173,000 serve as caregivers.

For former caregiver Jill Childers, the walk is deeply personal. Her father, Fred, passed away after living with Alzheimer’s. She participated in last year’s event with a company team but decided to start her own this year, named “Everybody Loves Fred.”

“Being there was so moving and seeing all the people there, there’s different colors for if you’ve lost someone or you’re taking care of someone,” Childers said.

“After doing it last year, I thought, I should have my own team. I know my dad would want to have his own team, so that’s when I decided this year to start my own team.”

Childers said more than 15 friends and family members have joined her team to walk in honor of her dad.

“His team name is Everybody Loves Fred — and everybody really did love him,” she said.

This year’s Central Arkansas Walk is the fifth and final Alzheimer’s Association walk held in the state. Anyone can still register for free through Saturday, and donations can be made year-round at alz.org/ARwalk.