It's that time of year again where I will be walking  in The Walk to End Alzheimers on Sunday, October 13, 2019.

If you have ever cared for a loved one, like I did, or know of someone with this devastating disease, you will understand why I find this to be such an important cause to support!!  

I lost my Mom six years ago to this horrible disease and my Dad over three years ago.  He dealt with early stages of age-related dementia.

Watching this disease take away my Mother's ability to remember her family and to do all the things that she so much loved to do, was truly heartbreaking!!  Her beautiful, loving, kind body and soul were there, but her once "sharp as a tack" memory was not!!  I would pray and cry daily for a cure for this disease and on the days when she would remember my name, I would cry again with tears of happiness only knowing it was for a short period of time when her memory clicked in; but I would take and embrace any sign of her remembering me when she did!!  Thankfully, my Father never got as bad although he suffered with some memory loss too, but I was so grateful he always knew who I was!!  

I thank God every day that I had them both in my life for as long as I did!! However, there is never a day that goes by, that I wish I could have the chance to spend another day with them and give them another hug and kiss that they are so deserving of and tell them again how much I love them as I knew how much they always loved me!!   

I was fortunate that my Mom stayed pleasant throughout her struggle with Alzheimers and that she was able to still do some things for herself - we were very blessed in that sense!! However, I know others who have this disease and have had the unfortunate experience of dealing with the downside of this disease too - the wandering,  the change in personality, and the total ability to function on their own!  This is so difficult for anyone to watch and extremely difficult for any family member who may be the primary caregiver to their loved one! This disease takes a toll on everyone involved!!

So, even though it is too late for me to hope for a cure for my parents, I'm walking again to help reclaim the future for millions of others fighting this horrible disease. By participating in the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's®, I'm committed to raising awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s research, care and support.

Currently, more than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's and that number is expected to grow to as many as 16 million by 2050. Our future is at risk unless we can find a way to change the course of this disease.

I need your support to do my part! Please make a donation to help the Alzheimer's Association advance research into methods of treatment, prevention and, ultimately, a cure for Alzheimer's.  For the millions already affected by the disease, the Association offers care, education, support and resources in communities nationwide and don't be afraid to ask for help if you are a caregiver!

I would be so honored and thankful if you would consider making a donation to my page personally as a walker or  to my team "Nee Nee's Angels".  Any donation amount would be greatly appreciated! Please  go to the website at alz.org/walk and search for a walker. Enter my name Karen Cwynar and make your donation.  It is that simple!!  

I am hopeful and I will always continue to pray for a cure for Alzheimer's disease!!  I hope you will help me in this fight!!

Thank you for joining the movement! The end of Alzheimer's disease starts with you!

To my Mom and Dad watching over me from Heaven above, I love you and miss you more than you will ever know!!  XOXO

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!! 

Karen Cwynar