A group of local high school students are coming together to help raise awareness about a disease that impacts many in their community.

Students at Unaka High School will host “Rangers Unite to End Alzheimer’s” on Thursday, May 24, inside the gymnasium at the high school.

The awareness walk will help raise money to support Alzheimer’s Tennessee, a non-profit organization that provides family support, offers community and professional education, advocates for the needs and rights of those with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, as well as research for its prevention, cure, and treatment.

The walk will begin at 9 a.m. with a Memory and Honor Lap for Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers, according to Dr. Melissa Loveless, a teacher at Unaka and one of the faculty members involved in coordinating the event.

“It’s open to anyone in the community to join us, we would love to have them,” Loveless said. Community members attending the event will need to bring their driver’s license or photo identification with them when they check in at the school office, Loveless added.

Members of the community taking part in the event are asked to make a $1 donation to participate.

In a special tribute to those who have battled the disease, Loveless said those attending are asked to bring a copy of a photo of any person who is suffering from or has suffered with Alzheimer’s Disease or other forms of dementia to be displayed on the Memory and Honor Board. Alzheimer’s Tennessee will keep the photograph for the permanent Memory and Honor Board.

Unaka High School students will be walking from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. on May 24. Students from Unaka and Hunter Elementary Schools will also be participating in the event and will be walking from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m.

Everyone participating in the walk is encouraged to wear the colors orange and purple for Alzheimer’s awareness. Prizes will be awarded for Most Spirit with their costume.

Loveless said local nursing homes and assisted living facilities have been invited to take part in the walk. She said some have already responded that they will be bringing residents to participate.

For more information on the Rangers Unite To End Alzheimer’s event, contact Unaka High School at 423-474-4100.