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This is my fundraising page for Alzheimer's research. I'm running the Hartford Marathon (26.2 miles!) this October and it would mean so much to me if you would consider donating any amount, to Alzheimer's Association.
Alzheimer's has had a profound impact on my family, my mother's mother had Alzheimer's, my mother-in-law's mother had Alzheimer's, my mother's sister currently lives with Alzheimer's, and my own mother also is living with Alzheimer's. It is a disease that breaks my heart over and over again. My mom no longer recognizes me, nor my siblings, nor my children. She is confused and anxious nearly all the time. If you are lucky enough to have never encountered Alzheimer's, my mom's mindset is similar to that of a toddler. She struggles to communicate and comprehend, she is terrified when she is away from my dad (the only person she generally recognizes), even though she understands reason, she immediately forgets the reasoning. She wants to do things for herself and help out, but has no idea what to do or how to do it.
The worst part, for me, is that the disease has changed her personality so much. She is a shell of the person I remember growing up with. My mom has always loved children and playing with kids. I know she would find so much joy in her grandchildren and so much pride in her grown children. This disease has robbed my mom of these gifts. I believe she feels the love we all have for her, but I know it is fleeting. She is uncertain of why we are around and what it is she should be doing.
I know it is too late for my mom. There is no cure and will be no cure, in her lifetime, to repair and re-connect the essential parts of her brain that are no longer behaving normally. It is NOT too late for others, it is NOT too late to research and develop better prevention or a way to stop the decline.
Please consider donating any amount so that we can end this awful disease.