WILLIMANTIC, CT (WFSB) -
One hundred people participated in the 4th annual Ride for Alzheimer's, which raised thousands of dollars for research.
Meaghan Kitchin organized the event three years ago after taking part in a number of benefit rides and noticing that there weren't any benefiting Alzheimer's disease research.
According to Kitchin, she created the charity ride, because she wanted to do something for her dad, who was battling the disease.
"With my dad, watching him not know how to do things that he taught me was really, really difficult to deal with," said Kitchin.
According to the Alzheimer's Association, the disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, and it currently has no cure or prominent form of prevention.
"The ride is specifically for research, but we also want to raise awareness and help show support for caregivers, people in the early stages, late stages and people who've lost somebody to Alzheimer's disease," said Kitchin.
Organizers told Eyewitness News that this year's event raised $12,893. All of that money will go to the Alzheimer's Association for research.
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