Thousands of people are expected to take part in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk To End Alzheimer’s at the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak on Sept. 21, some for personal reasons, others knowing the proceeds go toward critical research, support and care for people impacted by this terrible disease.

Among those participating will be Becca O’Connor of Sterling Heights.

She and her family did the walk shortly after her mother was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s and like many of the men, women and children who support the annual fundraiser were hopeful that researchers would find a way to stop what was happening to their 59-year-old wife, mother and teacher.

That was in 2012.

Since then, researchers have developed drugs specifically approved to slow the progression of early-onset Alzheim

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