Daughters Against Alzheimer’s hosted its signature event, Battle for the Brain, on Feb. 5, 2026, at the Coca-Cola Roxy in Atlanta. The high-energy evening featured a lip-sync competition, live audience voting, a raffle, and both super silent and live auctions—driving real-time crowd engagement throughout the sold-out venue. Together, these efforts raised more than $2.13 million for Emory University’s Goizueta Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, marking the highest single-evening total since the event’s inception in 2017 and fueling hope for families across the Atlanta region and beyond who are affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

The high-energy lip sync competition had the crowd on its feet all night, with Tootsies, Delta Air Lines and Julie’s Groove Crew stealing the show.

• Fundraising champion: Tootsies; with a runner-up tie between Morgan Stanley and RCG Ventures
• Performance champion: Delta Air Lines; runner-up: Tootsies
• Fan favorite champion: Julie’s Groove Crew; runner-up: Tootsies
• $100K Club (teams that raised $100K+): Delta Air Lines, Dorsey Alston Realtors, Julie’s Groove Crew, Morgan Stanley, RCG Ventures and Tootsies

The evening opened with a powerful performance by the SEEiT Choir, setting a meaningful and mission-driven tone for the night. Additional performances featured Ryder, Miller Zell, the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders, and Wesley Franklin & Stronger Together. Judges included Paul Milliken, Kaedy Kiely, Monica Pearson, and Stacey Leebern. Emcees for the evening were Kelsey Wingert-Linch and Tribble Reese.

Event Highlights:

• More than 1,500 attendees
• Livestream peak of more than 5,000 viewers
• More than 35,000 live votes cast, with each vote equaling $1 raised
• Golden Ticket Raffle featuring luxury trips to Italy, South Africa, Hawaii and more raised $46,800
• Live auction items included an executive founding membership at Silenzio Social Club, a custom Penley painting and a trip to Las Catalinas, Costa Rica
• Super silent auction packages featured VIP Atlanta Hawks and Braves tickets, a Las Vegas trip to see The Wizard of Oz at Sphere, an IWC Pilot’s Chronograph watch from Brown & Co. Jewelers, a private dinner at Yebo Beach House and more

Fundraising will continue through March 31.

Founded by Michelle Rooks and Susan Watson in honor of their mothers, Daughters Against Alzheimer’s is a grassroots nonprofit funding research at Emory University’s Goizueta Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. The organization focuses on early detection, prevention and treatment, supporting breakthroughs such as blood-based biomarkers and early-stage therapies. Every dollar raised through Battle for the Brain helps accelerate progress and brings hope to families impacted by Alzheimer’s.

For more information about Battle for the Brain, please visit battleforthebrain.org. 
Contact: [email protected]