When Laura Lekang lost her beloved grandfather to Alzheimer’s disease 16 years ago, she gained something at the same time: a commitment to a cause and incentive to help others like herself.
Most people are unaware of Alzheimer’s until it touches someone close to them. Until 16 years ago, Lekang was unfamiliar with Alzheimer’s, the 7th-leading cause of death. And she was unaware of the Alzheimer’s Association and the role it can play in helping families cope.
Today, the Greeley-based mental health therapist is on a two-part mission: raise awareness in the community of the resources available to them to help understand and deal with the inevitable tragedy of Alzheimer’s, and raise funds to finally find a cure for this incurable disease.
“This started as a healing process,” said Lekang. “My grandpa was like a dad to me. Then, over time, it became a passion to help other families because I know what it’s like to go through this.”
Lekang started her quest while living in Fargo, ND, before relocating to Great Falls, MT, and ultimately, to Greeley three years ago. Along the way, she volunteered as a community educator, participating in and planning Walks to End Alzheimer’s®.
And then there was Grace
Since arriving in Greeley, Lekang has stepped up her game. But she’s not alone: 9-year-old daughter Grace is matching her stride-for-stride with her own nametag, committee roles and, in 2022, her own Alzheimer’s Association fundraiser, an event for children earlier this summer that raised funds for the Alzheimer’s Association.
“Grace was born into the Association,” said her proud mom. “She’s been walking with me (in Walks to End Alzheimer’s) since she was one month old and has been walking almost every year. She knows my grandpa passed away from (Alzheimer’s) and how much it means to me. This year she got involved in wanting to fundraise. She gets upset when she can’t go to meetings with me.”
First responders “Bat for a Cause”
While Lekang (and Grace) have been involved with the
Greeley Walk to End Alzheimer’s for three years, and mom has served as a community educator to help other families facing a dementia diagnosis understand how to proceed, her favorite event is a fundraiser she created herself: “Bat for a Cause.”
“When I was in Montana, hockey was the sport and the police department would play the fire department in a game called ‘Guns & Hoses,’” said Lekang. “Once I got to Greeley, I modeled my event on that, reached out to the police department with the idea of a softball game and it took off from there.”
Now entering its third year, “Bat for a Cause” will be a round robin tournament on Sunday, Aug. 14, featuring Greeley Police, Weld County Sheriff’s Department, Firefighters of Greeley, Windsor Police Department and a squad from 24 Hour Bail Bonds. Firefighters of Greeley are the defending champs, having taken the title from Greeley Police, the first-year winner.
Lekang’s goal is to expand “Bat for a Cause” so that it can pit cities across the region against one another, including Greeley, Loveland, Fort Collins and more.
“The sky’s the limit,” she said. “There’s always something I want to do – different fundraisers. I’m constantly trying to raise awareness (of Alzheimer’s).”
Lekang’s passion for the cause always brings her back to her personal connection to the disease – her grandpa.
“Families don’t have to go through this alone,” she said. “There’s help, education and resources they can tap into. There are sensitive topics, such as finances and driving, and learning how to have those conversations with loved ones.
“The biggest piece for me is that people don’t know how to communicate with loved ones with dementia. How do you communicate with a loved one who doesn’t know who you are?” she asked. “Personality changes are a big one. The disease eats away at the person.”
Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia.™ For more information, visit www.alz.org or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.