I am participating in the walk to end Alzheimer's for two of the most influential people in my life. After meeting at 15 years old, they fell in love, built a home, a family, and a lifetime of memories. The two faced every challenge, grieved every loss, and celebrated every success together. To most, they are Jimmy and Dolly D'Accordo but to me, they are Nanny and Pop.  

Nanny's diagnoses of dementia came at a cost to all of us, but it hit no one harder than my grandfather. For the first time, he was met with a challenge even he couldn't protect her from. That lifetime of memories slowly slipping away from her was the hardest thing the two had ever had to endure. My admiration for them is immeasurable because not only has she fought the hardest fight there is, he stood right by her side as she did it.

When doctors warned us that her state would only get worse, we as a family tried our best to prepare and adapt to the coming fight. They warned that every situation is different and the road ahead while common, is uncharted. That's what makes this fight so difficult as both victims and caregivers: we can sympathize, we can empathize, but we can never really know what each individual goes through. While Nanny is still physically with us, Pop passed in August of 2022. 

Alzheimer’s isn’t stopping and neither are we. By participating in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s, I’m raising funds and awareness to advance the fight against this disease — funds that allow the Alzheimer’s Association to provide 24/7 care and support while accelerating critical research. I do this in honor of my grandmother who fights this fight every day and my grandfather who fought it as long as he could. No donation is too small and anything you can give matters more than you know. 

Thank you