There are over 5.1 million Americans diagnosed with the Alzheimer’s disease, but that doesn’t even begin to touch the number of those directly affected. It’s a debilitating illness that affects memory recall, can lead to dementia and, according to the National Institute on Aging, doubles in prevalence every five years beyond age 65.

In a proactive and collaborative effort by Bridget Jefferson and First Bank of Washington, Alzheimer’s North Carolina will host its first annual 5K Run to Remember on April 11 at Festival Park. It’s the first race to benefit Alzheimer’s research ever held in Beaufort County.

“I have two or three co-workers and friends who have had their love one or parents get the disease,” Jefferson said. “And just to see what they’ve gone through — a person who has Alzheimer’s or dementia, you lose that person in so many more ways than one. You lose them before you lose them to death. There are just so many parts of the disease that people aren’t aware of and it’s really sad.”

All proceeds from the event will go towards Alzheimer’s research and finding a cure, while donations will also be accepted to support the Alzheimer’s Walk and Education Fair to be held in downtown Washington on Oct. 3.

The race begins at 8:30 a.m. with the Kids Dash, a sprint on the waterfront that costs $5 per registrant. Each child who participates will receive a ribbon.

The 3.1-mile race from Festival Park to Washington Park and back kicks off at 9 a.m. The cost is $25 a runner and all those who signup before March 27 are guaranteed a souvenir t-shirt.

The race is a certified course sanctioned by Run the East, which will be the official timer, using electronic chip technology.

“When you work with people every day, your coworkers are like family. Seeing what my friend of gone through is almost unreal,” Jefferson said. “It’s a disease without a known cause and without a cure. In North Carolina alone, there are over 170,000 cases. The purpose of the 5K is to help raise funds to study the disease, its causes and hopefully find a cure.”

Early race packet pickup will be held at Hibbett Sports (502 Pamlico Plaza) on Thursday, April 9 from 1 to 7 p.m.