I'm leading the way to Alzheimer's first survivor by participating in the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's. Currently, more than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's and that number is expected to grow to as many as 14 million by 2050. Our future is at risk unless we can find a way to change the course of this disease.

 We lost a great man to this horrible disease. Jimmy Lalonde was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to those who knew him. He never met a stranger and always lent a helping hand where needed. Even after Alzheimer's started to affect him, he would still smile and shake hands when he met someone new and act like he had known them forever. His passions included hunting, fishing, gardening, and family gatherings. He thrived on helping other people in need. His greatest characteristic was being a great caregiver. He helped anyone in need, whether it was learning something new, getting something done, or even doing something to help a person out that didn't have time or was unable to do it because of a sickness or handicap. His mission/goal in life was to make people happy. As he progressed with Alzheimer's, we could see the man we loved, but his memories of us were fading. Even though he couldn't remember our names, he still knew that we belonged. We watched as his mind left him, but his body stayed strong. He fought a good fight with Alzheimer's for 10 years. Alzheimer's eventually won, but his spirit lives on in each of his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and everyone that had the pleasure of meeting him. We are doing this walk in memory and in honor of him so that no one else would have to experience such a horrible disease.

We have lived through the fight of this disease for the past 10 years, but the fight isn't over yet. We recently found out that Jimmy's wife, Mary, has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. So our fight continues to find a cure for this disease, not only for those who have passed on, but also for the ones we still have with us that are living with and enduring the effects of Alzheimer's.  

Together, we can end Alzheimer's disease. Please make a donation to advance the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer's Association. 

Thank you for joining the fight against Alzheimer's!