More than 5 million Americans are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s annually. Worldwide that number explodes to 46 million, according to Alzheimer’s Disease International. The cost of the disease is outrageous — estimated at almost $1 trillion in 2018.

While the numbers are ridiculous, the real impact is how Alzheimer’s disease changes the lives of the people it touches. My aunt suffers from the disease now, and I lost my uncle and father to Alzheimer’s. I watched my dad slowly lose his memories, functions, and even worse, the ability to be himself.

From this experience, I urge people to spend as much time as possible with the loved ones diagnosed with Alzheimer’s before the disease takes hold. Also, I suggest that people be patient because people with this disease don’t know what they’re doing all the time.

Today, Sept. 21 is World Alzheimer’s Day. I share my family’s story because I want people to hear a firsthand account of the toll this disease takes on a person and their loved ones.

I also want my story to shine a spotlight on research into the treatment and possible prevention of Alzheimer’s that seems to be close to a breakthrough. Imagine, in 10 or even five years we might have a therapy available to change how Alzheimer’s disease affects us or even stop it in its tracks, and save families from the hardship of seeing a loved one disappear right in front of them.

But researchers need our help to make this vision a reality; they need us to volunteer for research studies so that they can test potential treatments on healthy individuals and individuals who are at high risk for developing the disease.

I joined the Alzheimer’s Prevention Registry to learn more about prevention research and to possibly participate in new research studies as they begin to enroll. Created by Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, the Registry is an online community of people, with or without a family history of the disease, who want to see an end to this disease. Members of the Registry receive updates on scientific research and are notified about prevention studies for which they may qualify.

I encourage you to join me by signing up for the Alzheimer’s Prevention Registry. It only takes a couple minutes and your involvement could contribute to the tipping point in the fight against this disease. The memories and lives you save could be your own.