This July, I'll be participating in Ride to End ALZ South Carolina, a unique 255-mile, cross-state journey for cycling enthusiasts who are passionate about ending Alzheimer's disease. Our mission is to raise the funds needed for the research, care and support efforts of the Alzheimer's Association.
We all know someone who has been affected by this terrible disease. I ride because this horrible disease has affected my family at least twice (my mom and my grandmother). Anyone who has known me for the past 10 years probably knows that my mom has dementia. This has been a battle that she has valiantly fought. She has shown such strength and fight. She continues to do so. It has made me so very proud of her. We should all be so tough!
But as we all know, dementia is batting 1.000. As time has passed, mom has gotten worse. She is currently somewhere in the latter stages of the disease. She continues to fight the good fight and will do so every day for the rest of her life. I know that our family is not alone in this fight. There are over 6 million people in this country with this disease.. Anyone who has experienced this will tell you that the disease is hardest on the person with it but it dominates your whole family. I wouldn't be anywhere else but here helping mom but it is hard on all of us. My father who has been at my mom's side through all of this and all of my brothers and sister and their families have all experienced the grief, sadness, frustration and anger that dementia brings.
I tell this brief story to highlight not only what we have been through but what so many others in the country are going through right now. This disease is horrible in so many ways! Please consider donating through this fundraising page to help me reach my goal of $2000 but most of all to help raise money for research and care to bring us closer to treatments and finally ending Alzheimer's and dementia. If you choose not to do that then please say a prayer and send positive thoughts to all of the people and families who are suffering with this at this time. Thanks.
Right now, there is no shortage of ideas in Alzheimer's research — only dollars. That's why I am asking for your support.
By participating in Ride to End ALZ South Carolina, I'm fueling support services and cutting-edge research to change the trajectory of Alzheimer's disease. Each dollar I raise helps advance research toward the first survivor of Alzheimer's and provide help for those facing dementia today.
Will you join me? Thank you for donating and cheering me on!
Cheer Me On!