As many as 150,000 persons in North Carolina are affected by Alzheimer's disease, a number expected to quadruple by the year 2025 according to the Alzheimer's Association of Eastern North Carolina. The disease is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, with a new case diagnosed every 70 seconds.

To help combat these grim statistics, the Pilot Club of Laurinburg will hold their annual Alzheimer's Walk Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. Participants will register at the Main Street entrance of the A.B. Gibson Educational Center in downtown Laurinburg beginning at 9 a.m., in an effort to raise funds to combat this far reaching affliction. Registered walkers will follow the "All-American Mile" route through the city.

Gillie Edwards, facilitator of the Alzheimer's Support Group of the Pilot Club of Laurinburg for the past decade, has seen the disease touch more and more persons with each passing year.

"An awareness and an understanding of this disease has increased, as have the numbers of persons and families that have been affected by it," Edwards said. "The more people I meet, the more I know who have parents, uncles, aunts and others who have been touched by this terrible affliction."

In turn, the response from the community has multiplied as well, according to Edwards, with a steady increase both in the numbers of participants in the annual walk as well as in the amount of money contributed toward fighting the disease.

"All of the money raised from our annual event goes to the Alzheimer's Association of Eastern North Carolina," Edwards said, "unless a donor specifies another destination for their funds. The walk is for caregivers of Alzheimer's patients and/or for family members and others who have loved ones affected by the disease."

A registration fee of $25 is requested, though any amount will be gratefully accepted, according to Edwards. The walk is open to everyone, and sponsors are welcome.

"We receive support from area businesses, doctors, attorneys, general merchants, and individuals," Edwards said. "Anyone who registers will receive a t-shirt that includes sponsors' names, and those who contribute $100 or more will have their name included on next year's shirt."

The Pilot Club also sponsors an Alzheimer's support group, which meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the board room of Scotland Memorial Hospital.

"The meetings, like the walk, are open to everyone," Edwards said. "Caregivers and family members both are more than welcome."

Nancy Currie is one such person, who serves as a caregiver for her mother.

"I support Alzheimer's research," she said with finality.

Saturday's event will feature door prizes and refreshments following the walk.

10 warning signs of Alzheimer's from the Alzheimer's Association Web site:

1) Memory loss that disrupts daily life

2) Challenges in planning or solving problems

3) Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure

4) Confusion with time or place

5) Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships

6) New problems with words in speaking or writing

7) Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps

8) Decreased or poor judgment

9) Withdrawal from work or social activities

10) Changes in mood and personality

Visit www.alz.org/nc to learn more.