My inspiration for participating is my Grandfather, who lives with Alzheimer's. My team, Jerry's Hope Team, was made to honor him. This is not my first time walking in his honor, but this is my first time having a team and working hard to raise money to help fund Alzheimer's Association, and to essentially help him. Myself and my generation are the hope for all those living with Alzheimer's. We are the ones who have to step up and be relentless about finding better treatment and a cure.

My grandfather was born in 1935 in Illinois. He loves sports, especially basketball. He played for his High School team, Harrisburg Bulldogs. My Grandfather served in the US Army. He then worked for a company called Schlumberger that worked on oil wells, water wells, and natural gas wells.  He worked on the cable truck, using instruments and machines that read density levels of the ground where oil, water, or natural gas could be found. This job caused my Grandfather to move a few times and he did a lot of traveling with this job. He was first stationed in West Virginia, then to Indiana, and then to Ohio. He retired and stayed in Ohio for some time before moving back to his hometown. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2015. He lives in a VA Center that helps take care of him. Throughout my life, my Grandfather traveled a lot to come visit us. And I always looked forward to him visiting. He was there for my High School and College Graduations. He would always send me a card for my birthday. He also loved taking pictures. He did all he could to support us. That is my inspiration for participating in this walk; to be there for my Grandfather like he was for us. 

I hope you will consider donating to this cause. Any size donation can do more than you know.