ENTHUSIASTIC and CREATIVE team captains stage fund raising events to boost their team's totals!

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And the WINNER is...

I Walk Because...

Julie Gaggero - I walk because 2000 miles away this is all I can do to help my Dad, Robert H. Arnold who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s four years ago. I advocate to change laws and to fundraise and to educate. I went with the Alzheimers Association in March 2009 to Washington DC as an advocate to talk with our local Congressman and Senators.  I carried this picture of my Dad and I, he was there with me I felt, and his strength supported me.  I attended the hearing where Maria Shriver, Sandra DayOConnor and Newt Gingrich testified about the Alzheimer Committee findings—it was an incredible experience. Alzheimer’s is such a horrible disease, that people don’t want to talk about it, but we must!  We must make everyone understand so that they will join us to do what they can to help us find a cure.

Kate Dyer-Seeley ~ I walk because Alzheimer’s disease took my mom too early.  At 52 she wore smart suits, a short bob, drank coffee by the gallon, and was begging me to hurry up and have a baby already so she could be a grandma.  A few years later when I took the plunge into parenthood she couldn’t write her name, tie her shoes, or impart her parenting knowledge. This was not supposed to happen in my early thirties.  I wasn’t supposed to be losing my mom.  She was supposed to be teaching me how to become one.  MOVE with me to END ALZHEIMER’S! 

Linda Roadman ~ Memory Walk is not just about raising money but also increasing public education. Most people think they know about Alzheimer’s, but they don’t. I know I thought I did and I have learned so much since my mother was diagnosed at age 84.  I’m excited to take the time to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s and to increase community involvement.  I had envisioned retirement differently, but as my mother’s caregiver I’m working now to be an informed and compassionate decision-maker. 
MOVE with me to END ALZHEIMER’S

Mark Donham ~ My wife Christine has young onset Alzheimer's disease. She lost her mother to Alzheimer's at age 53, her sister at age 49 and many other relatives at young ages. This disease is slowly taking away my wife's cognitive capacity, she is unable to really think, understand, and handle simple daily tasks – and the reality is, I am losing her in a slow and painful way. I walk because there are no survivors with this disease. 
MOVE with me to END ALZHEIMER’S!

Jalen Lowery ~ I walk because my Grandpa Jack died from Alzheimer’s in November and my grandma has it, too.  I’m nine and the youngest team captain for the Portland walk.  I doubled my goal last year and made it, so I did that again for this year.  If everyone does that, I think we can make this bad disease go away.  I don’t want my Nana or my Gramps to get it.  MOVE with me to END ALZHEIMER’S!

VOLUNTEERS

It's not too early to think about volunteering for Memory Walk '09! The Walks' success will depend upon enthusiastic teams raising awareness and funds in their communities. Contact the office nearest you.

THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED AS TEAMS FORM AND SHARE THEIR NEWS.