Despite his famous last name, Dr. Hans Einstein became a legendary physician in his own right.

He was a relative of the greatest scientist of the 20th century, Albert Einstein and aside from his famed last name, Dr. Hans Einstein would become best known for his contributions to create a vaccine designed to prevent valley fever.

Valley fever has become a silent epidemic affecting thousands of people in Kern County and the southwest region of the nation.

The disease can enter your immune system and be hard to diagnose and often times confused with flu like symptoms.

"You can get a tiny little dose and never even know your immune system will take care of it or you can get a terrible dose of it and your life is affected for the rest of your life,” Paula Einstein said.

In 2012 the first walk for valley fever awareness began in Bakersfield - the same day Einstein passed away.

His daughter Paula is now taking on the mission her father started hoping one day to find a cure to the disease that has affected so many local families

The 5th Annual Walk for Valley Fever kicks off Saturday at 7 a.m. at The Kern County Museum.