$1 is set for my goal because every penny counts. No donation is too small. I am committed to raising awareness and funds to advance the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer's Association. In the very early days of my mom’s illness, the Hudson Valley Chapter provided guidance, signaling that there was still so much life to live in spite of a diagnosis.

My focus has always been to honor the legacy of my mom, Lois Cuda, with dignity and respect. My social media has become a diary documenting our journey with the hope that others faced with this horrible disease will find comfort in knowing they’re not alone, whatever stage they’re at. It also serves as a scrapbook for our family, highlighting the good times. 

Today, Alzheimer’s Disease affects more than 6.2 million Americans and 646.8 million people worldwide. My mom is 1 of over 750,000 Canadians living with this devastating disease. It’s not all bad though, we have so much to be thankful for. Each day is brand new; a clean slate, a fresh start. The worries and difficult moments of yesterday are gone, and for that I am very grateful.

Please consider joining me as I raise funds in the fight against Alzheimer’s Disease and other Dementias in honor of my mom. 

FACTS: “Alzheimer’s disease was discovered on November 25, 1901, when Dr. Alois Alzheimer examined and observed a patient named Auguste Deter at the Frankfurt Asylum for the Insane and Epileptic. The 46 year-old patient had strange behavioral symptoms, including a loss of short-term memory. In April 1906, at the age of 51, Mrs. Deter died. Alzheimer had obtained her patient records, and her brain was brought to him in Munich. Along with 2 Italian physicians, Alzheimer used cell-staining techniques to identify amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles within the cortical gray matter of the brain. On November 3, 1906, he gave the presentation that first linked these pathologic findings with the clinical symptoms of presenile dementia.”