(Gray News) - Retired pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger says he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Sullenberger made the announcement on Tuesday.

“I recently found out I have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. It is an early stage. For now, this means a name may not come easily to me, I forget a story I have recently told, or I don’t sleep as well, but I am at the beginning of this long journey,” he shared in a statement.

Sullenberger grabbed headlines in January 2009 as the US Airways captain who managed to land a plane full of people in the Hudson River without a loss of life despite the aircraft losing thrust in both engines.

The acclaimed event became known as the “Miracle on the Hudson” and went on to be the subject of the movie “Sully” with Tom Hanks playing the role of Sullenberger.

But this week’s focus is on the former pilot’s health.

The 75-year-old said that by sharing his story, he hopes that other families dealing with the disease don’t have to hide from it but that they too could take a step forward.

“Over the years, when people would ask about the successful outcome of Flight 1549, I would say that ‘courage can be contagious,’ and on that day it helped everyone band together to get everyone off that airplane successfully,“ Sullenberger shared. ”Now we need that courage to battle this disease. I am now part of a larger community with many of you, and we will be courageous together.”

Sullenberger, who has also served in the U.S. Air Force, says he is working with Dr. Gil Rabinovici at UCSF Medical Center in San Francisco regarding his diagnosis.

“This new phase of my life has challenged what it means to be of service,” the retired commercial airline pilot said. “Though it may impact my memory of the past, this diagnosis will not prevent me from looking forward to and appreciating our future.”

According to the Cleveland Clinic, an estimated 7 million Americans and over 55 million people worldwide are living with Alzheimer’s disease.

Sullenberger said he will take on the disease with his family by his side while giving hope to others.

“So many people told us after Flight 1549 that the outcome gave them hope. Lorrie, my incredible partner of 37 years, says we can all use a little of that hope right now,” Sullenberger shared.

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