Beating Alzheimer's One Step at a Time

By Andi Burgess, Senior Executive Assistant, Commercial Division

On a beautiful day in October, more than 1,800 people gathered at Bishop Ranch in San Ramon, Calif., with a shared purpose to walk together to help End Alzheimer’s. Through their efforts, over $576,233 was raised for Alzheimer’s research and support for Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers.

For the third year running, an intrepid group of 澳博体育app下载 employees, friends, family, and beloved pets joined the walkers in a three-mile stroll to raise awareness. Backed with the monetary support of over 30 colleagues whose donations had been matched dollar for dollar by 澳博体育app下载’s Mainland Giving Committee, the team raised $8,500 to end Alzheimer’s disease forever.

One in three seniors will die with Alzheimer’s or dementia, and it is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Many of us know or will know one of the seven million Americans who are currently living with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis or have lost someone to this devastating disease. Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, and over 12.5 million Americans are expected to suffer from the disease by 2050 unless we find a cure.

While the cause of Alzheimer’s is unknown, its symptoms are well known. Patients experience memory loss, challenges planning or solving problems, and misplacing things they cannot find as they are unable to trace their steps. They struggle to find words that were once familiar to them, get confused about times or places and have decreased judgment. They often withdraw from social activities and work and may experience changes in mood and personality.

Alzheimer’s is incredibly hard on families of those diagnosed. Over 11 million Americans act as unpaid caregivers to someone with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. As the disease progresses, it gets more difficult to care for the patient and to get support. Raising money for the Alzheimer’s Association also supports these caregivers who need respite and relief. This is a fact that I know all too well as I am one of those who has lost a family member to this devastating disease.

My grandfather passed away from Alzheimer’s in 2011. He was my hero, the patriarch of my family, and one of my favorite people. Grampa was the light of our lives and was an excellent father to his two children and five grandchildren. He was hilarious, always down to play a practical joke or to tease with humor. He was always ready to play a game of cribbage or any game he thought he could win or at least get in some good-natured ribbing. When he was diagnosed, it was hard on all of us. He stopped being the gregarious, good-natured man I had grown up idolizing. Alzheimer’s took him from us too soon.

I have been blessed to have 澳博体育app下载’s support for fundraising and walking to End Alzheimer’s for the last three years. Each year, I am touched by the 澳博体育app下载 Ohana’s generosity. I am awed by people who have shared their personal stories with me of having a family member or loved one with the disease.

When we walk, we walk on behalf of all 澳博体育app下载 families this disease has touched. We walk to find a cure. We walk to give voices to those who cannot speak. As a team, we are stronger together than we could ever have been alone. I want to thank everyone who participated this year, either by donating their time or resources. Mahalo.