Alzheimer's...what a cruel, ugly word. It is estimated that nearly 500,000 new cases of Alzheimer's disease will be diagnosed this year in the United States. Every 65 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer's.

My prayer is that one day soon, there will be a cure!

We lost my mom to this horrible disease on Christmas Day 2013. She suffered with this ugly disease for many, many years. Once, she was an active lady who loved her family, the students that she taught, and any and all sports. For the last seven years of her life, my mom was cared for by my dad. Care giver doesn't begin to describe this man. We are so proud of him. No one could have taken better care of her than him.

I retired from teaching two years prior to her death so that I might be able to give my dad some much needed rest and relief. My brother and I, and our spouses, grew increasingly concerned over the personal health of my dad. Of course, there was never a single complaint from him, but he needed a break. Those moments I got to spend with her will remain in my heart forever. Watching the dignity of an active, vibrant person stripped away is heart wrenching. While her smile faded long before her passing, it will remain in the memory of those she touched and those who loved her forever.

Let's do this! We must find a cure. We must raise the funds to aid in this important research. You can help.

This is our 10th year for Team: Judy's Smile ALZ Walk!

Join our Circle of Family and Friends and walk with our team: Judy's Smile!!

The world may look a little different right now, but one thing hasn't changed: our commitment to ending Alzheimer's. This year, Walk to End Alzheimer's is everywhere - on every sidewalk, track and trail.

Your health and safety are our top priorities. We will wait to see if this year's event will be a large in-person gathering on Saturday, October 7, 2023 in Greensboro at the Grasshoppers' Field. We invite you to walk with our small team of friends and family! More inform will be coming as the Walk date approaches. We are all walking and fundraising with the same goal in mind: a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia.

If you can't walk, please donate and collect donations for our team! #TeamJudysSmile

Thank you for any support you might offer to this wonderful cause that is near and dear to my heart.

A Walk to Remember .... we will find a cure! Join us, won't you?

Thank you friends,

Kimberly Richardson Wood