I am excited to once again be a part of the 2023 edition of the South Carolina Ride to END ALZ. This year over 400 riders will be taking the 255-mile bicycle journey from Simpsonville, SC to Charleston, SC over the days of July 14-16. I love this ride because it well organized, tough but fun and all funds raised are used for Alzheimer’s, dementia and related disorders education, research, and community support. The South Carolina Chapter and other supporters frequent the state capital whenever there is a need push for actions that make finding a cure and approving it more expedient.
This year is especially exciting because since last year’s ride, a few drugs have now been approved by the FDA that make a great difference for those in early and middle stages of Alzheimer’s. Last year with the support of generous friends, family, coworkers, The David Moore Foundation and company matching fund donations, I with all your assistance pulled together over $6000 and the entire SC Ride to END ALZ Campaign surpassed its goal of $800,000 by over $50,000! Well, that’s when chatter of the “mythical” Million Dollar Goal for 2023 began to look like a possibility and the #millionreasonstoride mission was born.
I always rode for friends and their loved ones and caretakers and will continue to do so, but this year it feels a little more personal as I got to witness the effects of Alzheimer’s memory loss on my Grand-Uncle when I visited him in Kenya last year. He has lived a long and active life; with some adventures and misadventures my dad has told me about since he grew up in the pre-independence years and the fight for independence. He is now in his mid-90s but is unaware of where he is and why those around him are there. With the number of cases projected to increase annually and one-third of all cases of dementia potentially preventable through lifestyle intervention not only is funding the research and treatment going to be key but also the education of the general population. Right now, there is no shortage of ideas in Alzheimer’s research – only dollars. But you and I can change that! Thank you and no gift is too small and remember if your company offers matching gifts funds, you can double your impact.
Cheer Me On!