We must never forget what they can’t remember – the details of their lives and the impact of the days we spent together. When you love someone who has Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia, as I have, it’s an overwhelming loss as you see them decline both physically and mentally.
I lost both of my parents to dementia-related diseases, with my father passing in 2008 at the age of 66, and my mother passing in 2017 at the age of 73. If you’ve also lost a loved one to these devastating diseases or are currently fighting that battle, you know the difficulty and pain all too well.
The statistics are sobering.
- The number of those with Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, is expected to triple in the next 40 years.
- It is estimated that over 5.7 million Americans aged 65 and older have Alzheimer’s disease, with that number to triple to over 14 million by 2050.
- Currently 1 in 3 seniors die with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.
I’m fighting back—and I invite you to join me.
June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, and it serves as an important reminder that we can and will make a difference.
My own family’s struggle led to my active involvement in the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Indiana Chapter, which provides services in 73 Indiana counties. We support vital research and also work to reduce the risk of dementia by promoting brain health. As part of the national Alzheimer’s Association efforts, we share a lofty vision: a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.
Progress against these diseases happens literally one step at a time, so it is particularly appropriate that we hold an annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s, which is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. I’m the chair of this year’s event in Indiana, which is scheduled for October 2, 2021. As you can imagine, I’m passionate about doing my part to end these diseases, and I want to honor my parents’ lives and recognize the sacrifices my sister made caring for them.
I’m sure there is someone in your life who has been impacted as well, either directly or as a caregiver, so I hope you’ll walk with Team MJ or make a donation to our team. We anticipate a great day filled with collective optimism, hope and determination, and our goal is to raise $12,000 to support the Indiana chapter’s goal of $1 million.
I don’t doubt our resolve, nor our ability to meet or even exceed those donation goals. After all, “Alzheimer’s isn’t stopping. Neither are we.”
Please join or donate to Team MJ today!
JOIN TEAM MJ
