MONROE — More than 750 Union County residents are living with Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association’s Western Carolina Chapter. As the seventh leading cause of death in the nation, Alzheimer’s affects 5.3 million Americans. Someone develops the disease every 70 seconds.

With numbers expected to increase, association spokeswoman Becca Carpenter said this year’s Memory Walk is more important than ever. The Memory Walk is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness of the disease.

“Funds raised will provide support services to the 93,000 individual residents of North Carolina living with Alzheimer’s while also contributing to critically needed research,” Carpenter said in a press release.

Since 1989, the walk has raised more than $260 million nationwide. By Wednesday, the Alzheimer’s Association Web site reported that the Union County walk has raised $4,261 so far. The goal is $10,000 — $2,000 more than last year.

Carpenter said Union County has 15 teams, but many people register the day of the event. Last year, the county had 12 teams.

In addition to the one-mile walk, walkers can enjoy festival games, food and live music by the Nightly Crew. Special guests will include Monroe Mayor Bobby Kilgore, Monroe Police Chief Debra Duncan and Union County Sheriff Eddie Cathey.

Donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association Western Carolina Chapter, 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215. Online donations are also accepted. Donors are to indicate which team or walker they are supporting.

The Memory Walk will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Sept. 26 in downtown Monroe. To register for the walk, visit www.alz.org/northcarolina or contact Carpenter at 704-532-7373.