Greetings.  You've made it to my 2024 Walk page.

Have you lost a parent to the disease?  Have you lost a relative to the disease?  Perhaps a sibling?  Concerned about your own risks?  Wondering if your friends will become victims of this mind robbing disease?  Wondering if YOU will succumb to the disease?  Those are all reasonable thoughts to have.

There is no cure for the disease.  Eight drugs are approved for use in Alzheimer's patients, which is a huge leap forward.  Six of the 8 are for early stages of the disease.  They'll "slow the progression" of the disease, although in time, it'll still take their mind and memory.  The drugs don't help everyone.  Yes, there are significant side effects.

From 2000 through 2021, Alzheimer's deaths in the USA went up over 140%.  Two thirds of it's victims are women. Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease which is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States and is the only cause of death among the top 10 in the US that cannot be prevented or cured. 

Dementia is an overall term for a particular group of symptoms, like memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking.  Alzheimer's disease is a form of dementia.  Characteristics include excessive accumulation of a protein fragment beta-amyloid and an abnormal form of the protein tau, as well as damage to and destruction of neurons.

The brain changes of Alzheimer's disease are the most common contributor to dementia.  Dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease is called Alzheimer's dementia.

I'm Walking because this is a crisis.  I'm walking so you won't have to suffer, or, perhaps speaking more practically, so your children won't later succumb to this disease.  By participating in the 2024 Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's™, I'm committed to raising awareness and funds for Alzheimer's research, care and support. 

The Alzheimer's Association currently has $310 million invested in 950 active research projects in 48 countries.  This Walk will provide further funding for more research and other Association programs.

I need your support!  Please make a tax deductible donation to help the Alzheimer's Association advance research into prevention, treatments and a cure for Alzheimer's. For the millions already affected by the disease, the Association offers care, education, support and resources in communities nationwide.  Let me know if you or a loved one is in need of the Alzheimer's Association resources & I'll point you in the right direction in your community.
 
Thank you for your support and for joining the movement!  The end of Alzheimer's Disease starts here.

#EndAlz