After 15 weeks of rehearsal, 12 local Central Georgia 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 seventh annual event, Dancing Stars of Central Georgia will take place on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at the Macon City Auditorium. The event raises money for the Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Chapter’s care, support and research. Since 2011, the event has raised more than $1 million.

Mirroring the popular TV show, the 12 dancing pairs work to raise money by gaining votes in the one-night gala dance competition. This year's Dancing Stars of Central Georgia local celebrity dancers include Lori Mitchell, Linda Brennan, Dr. Douglas Brewer, Dr. Ernest Carlton, Darlyn Davis, Jordon Hale, Dr. Stan Hickman, John Holmes, Wimberly Treadwell, Chris Tsavatewa, Brittany Turner and Dr. Champa Woodham.

The event will be hosted by WDEN’s Laura Starling and WGXA’s Meteorologist Jeff Cox. Celebrity judges include Tripp Amos, Mark Ballard and Michael Dunaway.

“No one is safe from Alzheimer’s disease”, added star dancer Linda Brennan. “My father passed away from Alzheimer’s last year and now my father-in-law is battling it. The struggle is awful and the demands on families and caregivers are immense. Please, please consider donating to Dancing Stars of Central Georgia. They support caregivers and families living this disease here in Georgia”, added Brennan.

With the recent release of the Alzheimer's Association's 2018 Facts and Figures Report, it is estimated there are 140,000 Georgians living with Alzheimer's disease with 521,000 family caregivers. Alzheimer’s deaths in Georgia increased by 201 percent from 2000 - 2015. With seven offices statewide, the Georgia Chapter provides vital education, support and services in all of Georgia's 159 counties.