LONGVIEW - The Alzheimer's Association opened a Longview branch today.

Director, Bryant Martin says every 71 seconds someone is diagnosed with Alzheimers.

About 20,000 families in East Texas are affected by the disease.

Sharon Davis has relied on the Alzheimers Association in Dallas since 2000...when her mom, dad and now her husband were diagnosed.

She said, "the association is like family and when I found out here theres no association it was the alliance it was a let down but when I found out they were coming here and I felt like my family was home again."

For anyone who needs support or has questions about the disease, the Alzheimers Association hotline number is open 24 hours a day.

That number is: 800-272-3900