Man walks to DC for Alzheimer's cause

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - The president of the Hampton Roads Alzheimer's Association is not only "talking the talk" but is "walking the walk" this week by walking 200 miles to Washington, D.C.

Dave Stephens and two friends set out from Norfolk Wednesday morning and are set to arrive in D.C. in 10 days. Stephens told WAVY.com he was inspired by his father.

"My father was my idol and seeing him with this disease has made me think, 'I've got to do something about it,'" Stephens said.

Stephens, along with TJ PRuer and Darren Gerlach, will arrive in D.C. Sept. 21 for National Alzheimer's Action Day. Stephens says in those 10 days of walking, 13,000 people are expected to be diagnosed with the disease.

Stephens says he has several meetings lined up with lawmakers. He says he is not looking for someone to tell him what they will do, but he wants to bring awareness and remind the lawmakers of the government's promise to spend $100 million on the disease.

Along the way, the three men will stop in several cities to encourage people to sign up for their local Alzheimer's walks in the upcoming weeks.

You can follow the men's journey on Facebook.