This year I am walking to honor my dear friend and cherished mentor, Jack Farr. Jack got the ball rolling for the first Alzheimer's walk in Santa Cruz County in1995 when there were just a few such events taking place in the US, He told me that he read about a walk in a magazine while on on an airplane flight and thought, "Why don't we do this in Santa Cruz?" Originally called Memory Walk, this annual event is an incredibly inspiring and heartwarming event. People with a range of connections to the cause gather to support one another, promote awareness, and raise funds for a myriad of services as well as for research.
This year is especially meaningful to me because my friend, Jack, who I have walked with many times was one of over 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer's and has recently passed away. Jack did so much to bring attention to Alzheimer's. In addition to being instrumental in establishing our Santa Cruz Walk, he served on the Board of the Alzheimer's Association at the local, regional, and national levels. He was active in promoting public policy and inspired me to follow in his footsteps as an advocate. He will be greatly missed.
I continue my volunteer work with the Association, serving as a public policy advocate and support group facilitator. I am doing what I can to change the trajectory of Alzheimer's and related dementia and I am grateful to so many of my friends, family, and colleagues who support this effort.
With heartfelt thanks,
Francie
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