Hundreds gather at Piedmont Park for Walk to End Alzheimer’s, raising over $570K

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Hundreds of participants filled Piedmont Park Saturday morning to take part in the 2026 Walk to End Alzheimer’s, uniting to raise funds, honor lost loved ones and support the fight against degenerative brain disease.Atlanta News First proudly sponsored the annual event, with morning Anchor Brooks Baptiste serving as emcee.Around 2,000 people gathered for the morning walk, raising approximately $570,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association. The funds will support research toward finding a cure for Alzheimer’s and all forms of dementia, while bolstering vital community support networks.For many walking through Midtown, the cause is deeply personal. Sisters Karen Klein and Lisa Augustine lost their mother, Irmi, in July and came out to celebrate her memory.“Even though she had Alzheimer’s, she never lost her joy of life. 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