Unite in a movement to reclaim the future for millions. Join the "Walk With Me" team for the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's, the nation's largest event to raise awareness and funds to fight Alzheimer's disease. Together, we can advance research to treat and prevent Alzheimer's, and provide programs and support to improve the lives of millions of affected Americans.

All too many families needlessly walk the Alzheimer's journey alone. One of my hopes as team captain is to communicate there are others available to walk with them and so many resources avavilable. Sadly for myself and my family, we didn't know much about how to relate to my mother with her Alzheimer's or the resources available until we were well into the last year of her life.

People need to know there are others who will listen and who will not dismiss their pain, who will listen not so they can solve things or pretend that everything is okay, when it's not. But to be present and caring. Maybe even someone to laugh with.

The disease is different for everyone, but the bewilderment and pain it brings leaves no one untouched.

I hope you will join the Walk With Me team either by walking or supporting one of the walkers. Your commitment to the cause does make a difference. I am totally bewildered when I think about where the resources related to Alzheimer's would be if it were not for the Alzheimer's Association. Knowing they have a large office here in Rockford confirms to me that their support is real!