The most challenging thing Wendy Wolfswinkel ever had to do was also the most important thing she could do: care for her mother, Carole, who lived with Alzheimer’s disease for eight years.
“Taking care of my Mom was one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life and it was an honor and a privilege to do so,” said Wendy, the chief financial officer of Sierra Properties, a commercial property management company in Colorado Springs. Her mom passed away earlier this year.
After Carole was formally diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2012, Wendy pursued the disease relentlessly. She read books, went to conferences, participated in classes through the Alzheimer’s Association, and joined support groups. Beyond that, she has become the leading individual fundraiser in Colorado Springs to find a cure for the sixth-leading cause of death, and the only leading disease without a prevention, treatment or cure.
“The disease scares me to death,” said Wendy. “So, I fundraise to help find a cure. Because so many of my friends and family know how close I was to my Mom, they donate to my walk.”
The Colorado Springs Walk will be held Saturday, Oct. 3, across the region with participants walking in their neighborhoods, in parks and on trails. And Wendy will be there.
“My advice to someone who may get a diagnosis for a loved one is to find out as much as they can about the disease, go to support groups and take care of themselves,” she said. “You cannot care for a loved one without taking care of yourself!”
To join Wendy in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s and raise funds to find a cure, you can join or start a team for the Colorado Springs Walk to End Alzheimer’s at
alz.org/walk, or you can support Wendy’s team by clicking
here.
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.