My grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's a few years ago and now lives with severe Dementia. Her short-term memory has virtually disappeared, she cannot go anywhere alone without getting lost, she gave up on driving and it now affects her ability to complete basic chores around the house, just to name a few implications. Could you imagine living like this...with so many opportunities permanently gone? Sadly, this is a reality that millions of people live and it places a significant burden on loved ones, friends, co-workers, and other acquaintances, even for the healthiest and wealthiest of families. The time and money spent to rehabilitate this condition or to mitigate its symptoms cause negative economic ripple effects across the nation and around the world. This also does not account for the costs of other health crises (e.g. COVID-19) that intermingle with Alzheimer's and perpetuate many difficulties at the personal, couple, family, institutional, governmental, and global levels. There are no real benefits that this disease can bring. That is why I am taking it upon myself to raise awareness, money, and care for Alzheimer's through this walk and through other endeavors as well.

The only way to beat something of this magnitude is to work together as a community in many ways: financially, physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually. An Alzheimer's Walk is a culmination of all of these things and is a powerful reminder of the magic that can happen when people put aside their petty differences and unite for a noble cause. I serve in the Champion's Club because I champion not only a walking event, but the inspiring vision of better health and wellness across the human lifespan so that I and future generations in my family or my community's families, never needlessly experience another condition that costs wealth, health or any other valued parts of a prosperous life. 

Families facing Alzheimer’s and all other dementia need us now more than ever — and with your help, we can be there for them. Please make a donation or register as a participant and start your own fundraising. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s disease. 

Thank you!