Come join our Actors & Artists Unite Eureka team as we walk on Saturday, October 19th at the beautiful Adorni Center- our first year at the Humboldt Walk! 

I walk in honor and memory of my dad- CDR Frederick T Daly. He was my rock- my harbor- the one person I could always count on in this world.

He was my dad. 

There was a sentence I lived to hear- “Why, that’s just wonderful!” I heard it every time I booked a job. I heard it so many times throughout every Alzheimer’s Walk season. I founded AA Unite in honor of my mom, but I founded it for my dad. To give him hope after he lost the love of his life- and to make the promise- “A cure in our lifetime- I promise you, Dad- we’ll find it.” I worked so hard to make my family proud, but he was the one I wanted to shine for.

He took care of my mom throughout the years of her Alzheimer’s. “She is my love- I cannot leave her.” He cared for her every day until she died in May of 2012.  In time, his memory began to falter. Having lived through it before, I knew he was in the beginning stages of Dementia. He would ask the same questions over and over. He was still my dad- kind, patient, caring, and a gentle pillar of wisdom and heart. In his last year, I saw my dad for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. He was having trouble walking, so, I managed canes, walkers, and the wheelchair to make sure he was safe.
In his last six weeks, he was in the hospital. I combed his hair, put lotion on his face, and held his hand- for 12-18 hours at a time. That’s what a daughter does- we take care of our fathers- and it is an honor.  Someone said- “You will have a hole in your heart”- but that was filled a hundred times over with the promises I made to him- “I promised you- a cure in our lifetime. and now, I will walk that much further; I will work that much harder for my half of the promise- a cure in mine. I’m not losing you, Dad- you’ll always be with me.  I promise- I will do you proud.”
He died on July 12th, 2019.  I miss him every day- and yet, I know he is always with me as I walk to keep my promise to find a cure for a soldier who took his final walk and a father who is finally at peace. 

Come join us on Saturday, October 19th. We will walk at Adorni Center, 1011 Waterfront Drive, Eureka, CA 95501.  Registration begins at 9 AM: Promise Flower and Opening Ceremony begin at 10:30 AM followed by the Walk at 11 AM. All are welcome!

All are welcome! And as we Irish say- Slainte!

Nancy Daly

Founder and National Team Captain and Coordinator
Actors and Artists Unite to End Alzheimer's
www.alz.org/AAUnite - our national team page!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE9eVfcdBQw&t=6s

https://act.alz.org/Forms/living-in-twilight--a-daughters-alzheimers-story-2013.docx

Alzheimer’s isn’t stopping and neither are we. By participating in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s, I’m raising awareness and funds 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.

Families facing Alzheimer’s and all other dementia need us — and with your help, we can be there for them. Please make a donation or register as a participant and start your own fundraising efforts. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s disease.

Thank you for your support!