In 2017, the folks behind Daughters Against Alzheimer's got an idea. What if they put on a night of entertainment and fun to raise funds to research the disease that had touched all their lives?

So began the annual "Battle for the Brain" lip sync competition.

The event, meant to be a twist on traditional gala-style fundraisers, brings together teams to compete in a night of entertainment.

It features 12 local groups battling it out on stage, including local chefs, Delta employees and some of the Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders.

According to the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 5.7 million Americans were living with Alzheimer's in 2018. It's the fifth leading cause of death for adults over 65, according to the CDC.

Of course, the disease not only impacts the patient, but also their family and caregivers. Which is what first motivated Atlanta’s Susan Watson, Michelle Rooks and Ashlie Garland to start Daughters Against Alzheimer's.

At first, it was a place to find support from other people who knew what it was like to have a loved one with Alzheimer's. But in the last couple years, it has evolved into a nonprofit that raises money to do research for the disease at Emory’s Goizueta Alzheimer's Disease Research Center.

The group has a goal of raising $10 million by 2025 for research. According to a press release, they have raised nearly $1 million in the last couple years.

Part of that is their annual lip sync event, which will take place this year on Feb. 6 at the Coca-Cola Roxy at the Battery.

General admission tickets to the event are $50 and VIP tickets are $250.

DETAILS

Battle for the Brain lip sync competition
Doors open at 6 p.m., show begins at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 6
The Coca Cola Roxy