After 15 weeks of rehearsal, 13 local Atlanta business and community leaders will showcase their best moves on the dance floor, with their dance professional partners, for one exciting evening to help end Alzheimer's. The eighth annual event, Dancing Stars of Atlanta, will take place on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at the Cobb Galleria Centre, and all the money raised will stay in the state to help Georgians with Alzheimer's disease as well as their families and caregivers.

Mirroring the popular TV show Dancing with the Stars, the 13 dancing pairs work to raise money by gaining votes in the one-night gala dance competition. This year's Dancing Stars of Atlanta celebrity dancers include Susan Carroll, Ken Covers, Suzanne Dansby, Kenneth Dawson, Chris Foster, Tara Byrne Garner, Nick Hagelin, Sandra Hutto, Teri Schneider, Dr. Robert Stoltz, Dino Thompson-Sarmiento, Dr. Nino Valishvili and Dr. Farzana Virani.

Celebrity judges for this year's event are Brenda Wood, 11Alive former anchor, and Jack Sawyer, president of the Southeastern Region of Wilmington Trust's Wealth Advisory Group. Professional dancer Christjohn Batters will be the third judge. Sponsors include Atlanta Fine Homes–Sotheby's International Realty, Crown Distributors and Big Canoe Company.

"There is need to fund continued research in unraveling the complexities, both genetic and lifestyle-related, that contribute to this debilitating disease," said Suzanne Dansby, star dancer. "I am dancing in loving memory of my father as I witnessed his mental decline after battling strokes and dementia."

With the recent release of the Alzheimer's Association's 2017 Facts and Figures Report, it is estimated there are 140,000 Georgians living with Alzheimer's disease, with 519,000 family caregivers often making significant financial sacrifices to care for their loved ones. With seven offices statewide, the Georgia Chapter provides vital education, support and services in all of Georgia's 159 counties, at no cost.

"We have the most amazing 13 star dancers! They're busy practicing for the Alzheimer's Association Dancing Stars event and raising much needed funds for those living with Alzheimer's in our community," said Dr. Lisa Hasty, event chair - Dancing Stars of Atlanta. "We need the community to help us reach our goal of $1 million to support those living with the disease and their caregivers, as well as help us fund the research to put an end to this devastating disease."

Alzheimer's disease is a growing epidemic and the nation's sixth-leading cause of death. As baby boomers age, the number of individuals living with Alzheimer's disease will rapidly escalate, increasing well beyond today's more than 5 million Americans to as many as 16 million by 2050.

Supporters can vote for their favorite star and purchase tickets to the event by visiting www.dancingstarsofatlanta.com. For more event information, contact Larrica Hubbard, event organizer, at 404-728-6057 or [email protected].