Tamera Fisher will take part in this year's Memory Walk and Jog for the first time.
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The 25-year-old will undertake the walk to remember her grandmother, Annie Foster, who died in 2017.
Mrs Foster was 95 years old at the time of her death. She had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease 15 years earlier.
"My nan was the oldest of five siblings," Ms Fisher said.
"Out of the five, three were diagnosed with Alzheimer's."
Ms Fisher said her grandmother was lucky because she was diagnosed early, and this meant she was able to take medications that slowed the progression of the disease.
Her great uncles were diagnosed at later stages of the disease and all died before Mrs Foster.
"She was lucky she got on the medications so early," Ms Fisher said.
"She got to see her first great-grandchild born, she got to see her favourite grandson get married."
Ms Fisher was 10 at the time her grandmother's diagnosis.
"She went from being a lady that could help me do my homework, she taught me how to skip, how to iron," Ms Fisher said.
"She was still Nan, she had been a big knitter and crocheter, but towards the end she couldn't do those things.
"She lost her patience easily while trying to put together sentences."
As the disease progressed, Mrs Foster began to forget family members.
"She had five grandchildren. I was the only girl, so she remembered me," Ms Fisher said.
"She remembered my dad, surprisingly, but she didn't remember my mum.
"My mum was her only daughter."
Ms Fisher said she was undertaking the walk in the hope other families would be spared the pain of losing a loved one to Alzheimer's.
The Memory Walk and Jog raises funds to support the work of Dementia Australia, which provides support, education and resources for people living with dementia in Australia, their carers, families and friends.
In 2018, more than 1000 people took part in the event from across the Hunter Valley.
This year, participants can choose to take part in a 2km or 7.5km walk, jog or run to help reach Dementia Australia's $110,000 fundraising target.
All funds raised will benefit Dementia Australia services in the Hunter.
The Memory Walk and Jog is on March 31, and starts at Speers Point Park. Registrations are required.
To find out more about the Memory Walk and Jog, or to register, visit: memorywalk.com.au
Learn more about dementia: dementia.org.au
