CHICAGO (WLS) — Thousands of people are coming together in Chicago’s Lincoln Park on Saturday morning for a unified mission.

The annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s will step off at 10 a.m. Participants have the choice of walking either 1 mile or 3 miles.

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As stated by the Alzheimer’s Association, over 7 million Americans are currently affected by Alzheimer’s, which ranks among the leading causes of death in the country. In Illinois alone, more than 260,000 individuals are living with this illness.

During this moving walk, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer’s with the Promise Garden ceremony.

During the walk, participants carry flowers of various colors, each symbolizing their unique connection to Alzheimer’s. Some walkers are honoring loved ones they’ve lost to the disease, while other flowers signify someone currently battling it.

ABC7 interviewed the executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association in Illinois to discuss the significance of this well-established event for the local community.

ABC7 Anchor Tanja Babich is the emcee for Saturday’s event.

More than $1 million has already been raised for the Alzheimer’s Association this year. The goal is $1.4 million, so they are getting close.