As families across Tucson prepare to join the Walk to End Alzheimers this weekend, one local couple is stepping forward with their own reason for walking.

Sarah Thomas was going about her normal routine when life took an unexpected turn. A simple outing to a nearby cactus nursery led to a fall, a hospital visit, and ultimately, a diagnosis.

They did an MRI and said, you ought to see a neurologist, and we did immediately, and that's when they came up with the Alzheimer's diagnosis, Derek says.

According to the Alzheimers Association, more than 7 million Americans are currently living with the disease. Still, for Sarah, hearing those words didnt feel real at first. He said I had Alzheimer's. No, I dont. I was angry, Sara explains.

Derek says he initially blamed himself for not noticing t

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