Jefferson City Alzheimer’s Association raises awareness through luminary ceremony

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Sunday night was the Alzheimer's association luminary ceremony in Jefferson City.

The ceremony is to remember those lost to the disease ahead of the Jefferson City walk to end Alzheimer's. The first 120 people who attend the event received a luminary kit, which represents 120,000 Missourians living with Alzheimer's.

This is just one event to raise awareness for the disease.

"This is the first time we're doing anything quite like this but we've been able to have many successful Alzheimer's awareness days in the past and this is really kind of the start of a week-long celebration of hope," Joe Pallikkathayil said.

ABC 17 news is committed to bringing awareness to Alzheimer's -- which impacts families across mid-Missouri. This week, we're sharing resources available if you have a loved one suffering from Alzheimer's or dementia.

We'll uncover what's being done to find a cure and how you can make a difference in the fight.

One person who's taking on that fight is Chris Cottle. He helped organize yesterday's Columbia walk to end Alzheimer's.

"Whether directly or indirectly, Alzheimer's touches every single person that you know," Cottle said.