Piedmont Park Walk Raises $570,000 for Alzheimer's Research

Piedmont Park in Atlanta filled with participants on Saturday morning for the 2026 Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The annual gathering brought together residents to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Association and honor individuals lost to the disease.

Organizers reported that approximately 2,000 people took part in the walk. The event generated about $570,000 in donations. These funds will support research aimed at finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. The money also helps sustain community support networks for patients and their families.

The cause holds deep personal meaning for many in the crowd. Sisters Karen Klein and Lisa Augustine walked to remember their mother, Irmi, who passed away in July. Klein noted that her mother retained her sense of humor despite her diagnosis. "Even though she had Alzheimer’s, she never lost her joy of life," Klein said. "She was always one to sing and dance and still tell jokes. Her jokes did make sense, though other things she said did not. She was a joyful person, and so we miss her spirit. We miss her heart."

Sara Haj-Hussein, an event organizer, spoke about the importance of finding community during difficult times. She described the walk as a place where strangers could connect over shared experiences. "Grief is not a solitary journey, and it comes in waves," Haj-Hussein said. "But when you’re able to find relief and friendship with people you’ve never met before that are going through a similar journey, there becomes a new community, a community of support."

The walk also featured local advocates. Hip-hop artist Darryl Gibson, known as rapper Positive K, attended the event. He currently serves as a caregiver for his mother, Julie. Georgia is home to an estimated 188,000 people living with Alzheimer’s disease. Nearly 400,000 residents provide care for these individuals.

Gibson told the crowd that the event turns compassion into tangible support. "We’re turning our love and compassion into action, that’s what we’re doing," he said. He encouraged fellow caregivers with the message: "You are not alone."

Lisa Augustine, one of the sisters walking for their mother, explained the purpose of their attendance. "We come here to honor loved ones who have passed and who may be dealing with dementia, Alzheimer’s right now," she said. The event concluded with the group having raised the target amount for the Alzheimer’s Association.