We’ve all heard of someone that has Alzheimer’s. Whether it is a friend’s grandma, a depiction of a favorite TV show (I see you C.J. Craig from the West Wing), a brilliant comedian (Robin Williams was found to have Lewy Body dementia, a form of Alzheimer’s), or, most challenging, you’ve had direct experience with a family member with the “Long Good Bye.” But that doesn’t mean everything is without hope. Everyday scientists and doctors dedicate themselves to finding the origins and treatments to provide hope for those with Alzheimer’s and their loved ones.

Many know that I have been a long-time caregiver for my dad who has been making the best of his Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Though there are ups and downs (and for those that know my dad well, he is an expert fall-er), he still finds humor in little things, enjoys the simple pleasures like eating his weight in ice cream, and watching any Western he can find on TV. What some folks might not know is that my Papa (my dad’s dad) also had Alzheimer’s. Both these great men loved their families dearly and would never want to have to depend on them to be cared for. But as a common saying goes: “When you can't run, you crawl, and when you can't crawl, you find someone to carry you.” And me and my family were there for Papa and Dad to make sure they were comfortable and found joy in their life.

So I am now an Alz Star: here to run to help raise money to fight and cure this difficult disease for those with it and their families. Truly, this is my way to feel a little less “out of control” and feel like I am part of the solution to help Dad and Papa.

Please give what you can to support this amazing organization and the folks that are doing the work to enhance care and support programs and advance research toward methods of treatment, prevention and, ultimately, a cure for Alzheimer's disease.