Why I Ride: My Dad passed away in February of 2023 from Alzheimer-Dementia after roughly a 1-2 year battle. He slipped relatively quick as he was diagnosed in the Spring of 2021 after it was apparent he was not able to drive and do normal daily activities. It can be a tough disease to diagnose and treat. To me it was very difficult because it seemed like he was there and with it until he wasn't. He lived in Montevideo, MN after retiring as a Social Service worker in Carlton Co, MN and moving from Duluth, MN. My Dad had very limited resources and needed County assistance with his memory care arrangements. My sister was present and incredibly supportive of my father during his decline. Without her and her husband's(Paul) care during my Dad's decline I'm not sure how his quality of life would have been.
I am doing this ride to help raise funds to battle this disease and help provide care and support for those affected by it. Caring for my father a couple times, visiting with him at my sisters house and visiting with him in the assisted living and memory care units opened my eyes on how difficult caring for people affected by this disease can be.
I am participating in the Ride to End ALZ® on Sunday, October 13. This is 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. I plan to ride the 65 mile course for the first time with a friend who's father is now affected by the disease.
With each mile I ride, I am raising funds to advance research on Alzheimer’s. I appreciate anything you can do to support his ride and I hope that the research will eventually find a way to cure or avoid this terrible disease for all of us in the future..
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.
Cheer Me On!