Dear Family and Friends,
Alzheimer’s Disease is still here! The exact cause is still unknown. Research continues. A new drug, Leqembi has been approved. The drug removes plaque build up associated with Alzheimer’s. It is not a cure and it doesn’t stop the progression of the disease and there are side effects and is very expensive but it is a start. By 2050, the Alzheimer’s Association says the number of seniors with this disease is expected to rise to nearly 13 million. Every 65 seconds, someone in America develops this disease and the cost of care continues to rise. So we must continue research to search for a cure!
The Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be Downtown Tifton at 245 Love Avenue behind the library October 14, 2023. Registration will be at 9:00 am, opening ceremony at 9:30 and the Walk at 10 am.
Here is the reason I am so passionate about finding a cure for this disease:
My mother died of this disease in 2005. She was a resident at Maple Court for 5 years and Southern Care Assisted Living for 1 year where she died. The 4 generation picture that is on my page was taken a few months before she died. This is a picture of my mother, Geneva, my daughter, Lea Marie and her son, John Paul and me. I can tell you first hand how debilitating this disease is. It is heartbreaking to watch your loved one deteriorate mentally. Mother was a school teacher and was a very active member of society but this disease took this away from her. This disease also took the life of my aunt and Larry's parents. For this reason, I am trying to help make everyone aware of Alzheimer's Disease and try to make a difference for my family and others. But, we need your help..
Whose life has not been touched by Alzheimer's Disease? As I get older and I get things mixed up, I wonder if this terrible disease is my fate. I live in constant fear of getting this disease. Therefore, I am passionate about raising money to help search for a cure for Alzheimer's Disease.
Lea Marie, my daughter, wrote the following which sums up what this disease does to families:
"My grandparents were diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. I watched as this disease took hold of them in different ways. My grandmother on my mother's side was diagnosed first and the disease slowly took its toll. My grandfather on my father's side was hit hard. It claimed his life rather quickly and shortly returned for his wife. No matter how different their journeys were, the outcome was still the same. No memory of me. I struggled as I watched their brilliant minds deteriorate over time. I couldn't understand what was happening to my beloved grandparents."
I am now retired and volunteer at the hospital. I see families struggle with loved ones as they came through the hospital. My experience with the disease makes me more compassionate and able to offer a comforting word to families.
If you feel led to support me in this effort, you can help in two ways:
- Join me in the fight against Alzheimer's by joining the Walk at Downtown Tifton “October 14, 2023
- Help me reach my goal by making a donation to my fundraising page or give me a check made out to the Alzheimer's Association and putting Geneva's Gems on the memo.
Mary Newton's address is:
4251 Highway 319 South
Tifton, GA 31793
Thank you so much for your help and support.
May God Bless You,
Mary
Click this Link to visit my donation page.
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