My friend Anna and I started this team about 8 or 9 years ago (possibly longer?) since my Mom had been diagnosed with dementia. It was always personal. Thanks Anna for your awareness and assistance!  As Mom's disease progressed, it became more and more obvious how devastating this disease was to her, and everyone who knew her, loved her, and subsequently cared for her.  This #WalktoEndAlz became more and more important to me as it is really the only empowering event I can participate in to help change the future of this disease.  

Over the years we've always had a super team and this year is no different. Our team is amazing!!!  The sad thing is that every single one of us has had a family member touched by this disease. I am astonished by how many people we know and see every day have a family member devastated by this disease. You never know. Then you begin talking and realizing how prevalent this disease is across the world. Wow. I am hoping to walk in 2023 to continue our fight to #EndAlz! 

My amazing Mother passed in February 2020. She was a teacher, both professionally and personally.  She was beautiful, kind and generous but had to endure the cruelty of dementia. It is a complete tragedy that she couldn’t live out all of her years with her dignity and mind intact. Alzheimer's strips these things away like an onion until there is nothing left but tears. This is a terrible disease that is heartbreaking and exhausting. Please support our walk to help to find a cure and provide support for all those caregivers who find that last drop of energy every minute of every day fighting to care for their loved ones...whom may no longer even recognize us. Thank you for all of your support. Mary (Patty's daughter)