2022- In keeping with tradition, you all helped make me a Grand Champion yet again. I had just returned from my Paris/London trip the day before, and even with the time change and pure exhaustion, there was no way I was missing Walk. For Chupe  

2021- We are back in person!! So good to be back with ‘Team Chupe!’ in this amazing community yet again. And once again, my supportive friends and family made me a Grand Champion #EndAlz 

2020- A tough year for everyone. While we couldn’t be together in person due to the pandemic, we still walked. With our neighbors, our friends and family, separately in our own neighborhoods. We still raised lots of money! Although Walk had to look different, this was still a pretty special year. Thank you for making me an Elite Grand Champion again. #EndAlz 

2019- Wow. I can’t thank you all enough. You helped me raise over $11,000 all in memory of Chupe and we re-broke the Brighton individual fundraising record! I have the best support, much love! #EndAlz 

Once again, I have the most amazing friends and family. In 2018 you all helped me raise $8,000 and made Team Chupe the top Friends and Family team for the second year in a row. I became the Alzheimer’s ambassador to Senator Stabenow, was featured in one of her campaign videos (all about Alzheimer’s!) And had the great honor of being named volunteer of the year for my region of the Great Lakes Chapter. I can’t wait to see what 2019 brings #EndAlz 

On June 3, 2017 I, along side with my Mom, watched my best friend take her last breath. She did not develop an infection, she did not have pneumonia, no cardiac issues, she died strictly from Alzheimer's. My Mom and I were her full time caregivers for 15 years, keeping her at home the entire time (with no help, although God knows we tried). I had to sit there and watch her brain slowly rip away her memories and stop telling her body how to function at a basic level in order to survive. It's the slowest, longest, most brutal goodbye and I can't believe I'm now among the many that have to carry a purple flower this year. I refuse to sit back and accept this, which is why I co-chair the Brighton Walk, advocate on my local congressional team, and talk to anyone and everyone who will listen about this disease. Her memory will never be forgotten, I will make damn sure of that. And I will continue to fight for that first survivor, that first white flower, for I want no family to have to go through what mine did. #EndAlz

I'm walking to help reclaim the future for millions. By participating in the 2016 Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's, I'm committed to raising awareness and funds for Alzheimer 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 prevention, treatments and a cure for Alzheimer's. For the millions already affected by the disease, the Association offers care, education, support and resources in communities nationwide. Thank you for joining our movement! The end of Alzheimer's disease starts here.