My grandma Dorothy Bekemeier was the most amazing lady and inspiration. She was church secretary, VBS leader, Sunday school teacher and above all my Grandma. I spent so much time with her. Then Alz/Dementia hit her. This lady battled breast cancer, strokes, heart attack and probably much more but not this. I miss her dearly but take comfort knowing she is in heaven and probably entertaining many.

Jeremy's Grandma Thiem I was only able to be around once she had Alz. But I enjoyed our visits and being there her final day.

Alz is a weird thing... you sit and see your loved one in a totally different world than you. They go back to their childhoods and discuss it with you, though they've no idea who you are any longer.

I'm leading the way to Alzheimer's first survivor by participating in the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's(R). 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.

Together, we can end Alzheimer's disease. Please make a donation to advance the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer's Association.

Thank you for joining the fight against Alzheimer's!