It's that time of the year again that I do my fundraising blitz to help in the fight against Alzheimer's.  I hope you consider donating to help us find a cure soon as each year more and more people are being diagnosed with Alzheimer's or some other form of dementia.  Between 2000 and 2021, deaths from Alzheimer's disease increased 141%.  We need to stop that trend now!

Here is why I walk:  In 2012, my mother Helen was diagnosed with dementia/Alzheimer’s.  It was a sad and scary day when we got that news that we already suspected to be true.  For several years, her life was fairly normal but each year you could see her memory and personality were changing and not in a good way.  She went from a spunky, fun-loving, smart and hip mom to someone who was often angry, didn't care about things she used to love and definitely more and more confused every day.  In 2017, even worse than getting the initial diagnosis, we had to make the decision to put her in the memory care unit at Bartels in Waverly for her own safety and my Dads sanity.  It brings me tears right now thinking about how much I cried when I had to leave her there for the first time and how confused and scared she was.  When Ipulled up to the Bartels that day with her in my car she said “Well this is where the old people have to live.  What are we doing here?” And it broke my heart that she didn’t realize this was where she would live out the rest of her life.  Sadly, Mom passed away in September 2019.

This year the walk is on September 21st, 2024.I will be walking to honor not only my mother Helen who passed away in 2019 and my Uncle John who passed away in 2022 after both suffering many years with Alzheimer's but also for all the people currently living with the disease or caring for a loved one with the disease. Last year, my dear friend's father, Rick Elefsrud, was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia and my heart goes out to them as they are currently experiencing the trials and tribulations that go along with this form of dementia. We need to find a cure to end the torture and heartache that the victims and their family and friends suffer due to Alzheimer's and other kinds of dementia.

Together, we can end Alzheimer's disease. Any donation you choose to give big or small will all help to advance the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer's Association.

Thank you for joining the fight against Alzheimer's!

Sincerely

Roxanne Hassman