Why do I Ride? For my Grandma. She was the best grandma a kid could ever have. She was the kind of grandma who was always interested in what my brother and I were doing, how school was going, what activities we were in. She and my grandpa made us their priority in the summers when we weren’t in school. Every year when I would go to a week long scout camp, grandma would make my favorite cookies the day I left and would mail them them the next day, so I would get them on Wednesday and they would be devoured by me and my troop mates before dinner. This tradition lasted even when I went off to college…she kept sending me those cookies every year…packed carefully in wax paper, bubble wrap…in a shoe box.
Sadly we lost grandma to Alzheimer’s in September 2007. Having this ride gives me an opportunity to take time to remember my grandma. But it also gives me a platform for raising funds to go to critical research to help end this terrible disease and hopefully keep all of our loved ones from having to deal with this.
Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases not only impact the patients, but the care givers as well…and in many/most cases, the care givers are ultimately the ones who struggle more as the disease impacts their loved ones.
So, I am determined to go the distance for all those affected by Alzheimer’s. I am inspired by the strength of the more than 6 million Americans living with this disease, and the over 11 million family members and friends who provide them with care. I am also inspired by science.
Right now, there is no shortage of ideas in Alzheimer’s research — only dollars. Which is why I am asking for your support. I am participating on the Ride to End ALZ®, a fully-supported, premier cycling event that supports the Alzheimer’s Association’s efforts to discover methods of treatment and prevention for Alzheimer’s disease.
With each mile I ride, I am raising funds to advance research toward the first survivor of Alzheimer’s. Thank you for cheering me on.
~ Sky
Cheer Me On!