Northeast Nebraskans are fighting to end Alzheimer’s disease, one step at a time.

Around a hundred people came to Skyview Lake in Norfolk, Nebraska on Sunday for the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's.

For people like Beth Plisek, the event is much more than just a fundraiser.

"I've worked in long-term care for almost ten years and most of my time was in a memory support setting," Plisek said. "I never really thought I was going to bring it home until my grandfather was diagnosed, and that was a hard thing to go through for my entire family."

Now, Plisek works with the Alzheimer's Association by holding support groups and educating communities on Alzheimer's disease.

The Alzheimer's Association is a national organization that raises awareness and funds for care, support and research in ending Alzheimer’s, a disease that has no known cure and is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States.

One way the Association raises funds and awareness is through events like the Walk to End Alzheimer's.

Kati Sudon-Novotny is the Chairperson for the Northeast Nebraska Walk to End Alzheimer’s. She explains that the event is a two-mile walk that helps the Association achieve its missions. However, it is also much more than that.

"Most importantly, it is to have that 'sea of purple' out there so people can realize that northeast Nebraska is aware, they are impacted, and they are willing to fight to end Alzheimer's," Sudon-Novotny said.

One of the event's symbols is colorful flowers provided by the Association. Before the walk, families and participants hold up their flowers as part of something called a Promise Garden Ceremony.

Each flower color represents a different reason why people come to the Walk, whether it be to show support for the cause or to honor someone who was diagnosed or lost to Alzheimer's.

All funds earned at the event are set to go toward the Alzheimer's Association and their fight in finding a cure and ending Alzheimer's disease.