FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – Hundreds of participants for the 2024 Walk to End Alzheimer's make their journeys through downtown Fort Wayne on Saturday with colorful flowers in hand. The walk is one of many events held in hundreds of locations across the country, cumulating into the largest fundraiser for Alzheimer's research, care and support. Sydney Plichta is the public relations director at the Alzheimer's Association's Greater Indiana Chapter. She said the walk is annually held in more than 600 communities nationwide, with 13 of the walks hosted in Indiana. With nearly 7 million people diagnosed in the United States, Plichta said it remains the leading cause of death in the country. New banners on Fort Wayne’s southeast side, represent community pride Walkers choose between a 1.5 mile or 1 mile loop to trek through downtown Fort Wayne, around Parkview Field, with Promise Garden flowers. These symbols sight walkers' relation with Alzheimer's, ranging between a participant caring for someone with the disease to a participant who lost someone to it. The 2024 Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Fort Wayne's fund stands just above $152,000, which is 56% of the donations needed to match the $270,000 goal the Alzheimer's Association set. The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is on Saturday starting at Parkview Field located on 1301 Ewing St. Gates open at 9 a.m. and the opening ceremony begins at 10 a.m., followed by the walk. Registration is free but walkers are asked to make a donation of their choosing. Participants can register in person, online and donate funds at the Alzheimer's Association website.