I Walk for My Mom, Orysia
My mom, Orysia, grew up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the daughter of Ukrainian immigrants. It was there she met my dad, and together they later opened Celebrity Travel in the garment district. Confident and capable, she built a long and successful career in the travel industry. I can still remember how proud I felt when she would show up to parent-teacher conferences in her power suits. Outside of work, she found joy in gardening, cooking, and entertaining, and she was the most supportive mom - my biggest cheerleader in everything I did. She was beautiful, elegant, and full of life.
At 52, she began showing symptoms of Posterior Cortical Atrophy (PCA), a rare and often overlooked form of Alzheimer's disease, and was diagnosed at 55. Over the next 10 years, we watched this disease slowly take away pieces of her, even as she remained so loved and cherished. She passed away in 2014, just months before my son, Galway, was born. My daughter, Sorcha, who reminds me so much of her, never got to have a conversation with her grandma. Every holiday, celebration, and milestone is a reminder that she should be here with us, sharing in the joy and love of those moments. My grandmother, her mother, outlived her.
Part of my goal is to bring greater awareness to PCA, which is frequently misunderstood and underdiagnosed. Some studies say it may affect up to 15 percent of people living with Alzheimer's, yet there are no clear diagnostic criteria. Families deserve answers sooner, and we need more research to better understand this disease.
I named my team Sunflower Warriors to honor my mom's Ukrainian heritage and her love of gardening. Just like sunflowers turn toward the light, I walk with hope that no other families, including my own children, will have to endure this pain.
Today, I'm honored to serve as Executive Director for the Alzheimer's Association Greater Pennsylvania Chapter, and I see every day the incredible progress happening in research and care. We are closer than ever to changing the course of this disease.
Thank you for walking beside me, donating, or simply learning more. Your support truly makes a difference.
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