1st off, I want to say thank you in advance for reading this lengthy post.  Some of you may know that my mom has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. This disease is as cruel as they come and unfortunately is more common than you think.  Alzheimer's patients have more than doubled over the last 20 years and have more deaths than Breast Cancer and Prostate Cancer combined! Over 6 million people are currently living with Alzheimer's, that is too many families watching their loved ones slip further and further away daily. 

A little background so you understand the reason for this email.  My dad died when I was 4 years old, leaving my mom with 2 very small children to raise alone. She never remarried, never dated, never put herself 1st in all of those years.  Donna (my mom) never missed a practice, game, dance recital, piano lesson or anything that had to do with her children.  One of the most independent, strong, stubborn women I've ever known.  She was a teacher in the same school district for over 30 years, instructing students and more importantly building bonds for hundreds of students to remember for years to come.  To say my mom was someone I've looked up to my whole life would be the biggest understatement.  

Fast-forward to now.  That independent woman who did everything on her own, the way she wanted it done, while not letting anything or anyone stop her; she's hard to find these days.  My mom struggles with basic daily tasks such as reading a calendar, knowing what day of the week it is and cooking for herself.  My sister and I spend hours with her going over things essential for her lifestyle only to be asked 1 min later "how to find out what day it is again?". As a daughter, it rips your heart out day in and day out watching someone so smart and strong lose the ability to function the way they used to. 

Alzheimer's doesn't just affect the person with the disease, it literally affects everyone around them.  When we 1st found out about the diagnosis, we didn't tell anyone. We didn't know how to process what was happening and also what the future will ultimately bring.  From lawyers for her "estate", to living arrangements when she can no longer live alone, to neighbors checking in daily on her; it all takes a toll that NO ONE is prepared for.  

The Alzheimer's association has been a great resource for my family over the last 2.5 years. Myself and our Women's Basketball Team will be walking in the "Walk to End Alzheimer's" on October 14th.  All funds raised go directly toward resources to find a cure for the disease also known as the "slow goodbye".  As someone who is living this nightmare daily, I can tell you, this is the hardest "slow goodbye" my sister and I will ever have to endure.  

I would be honored, grateful and so appreciative of anyone who would like to join us in this fight to end Alzheimer's.  Whether it be through donation or to join our team to walk on October 14th, anything you could do to support this cause would be so meaningful not just to everyone fighting Alzheimer's, but personally as well. 

My sister and I are so lucky my mom instilled everlasting values and lessons throughout our life so that now we are able to take care of her like she has taken care of us our whole life.  Help us help her and countless others by making a donation to our team page or by registering to walk with us!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to understand our recent struggles and for considering donating to our cause! The link is below, just copy and paste! 

http://act.alz.org/site/TR?fr_id=16907&pg=team&team_id=837711

Thanks again,

Jen