Memory Walk Update

The more time that's gone by, the more amazed, touched, and downright humbled I've been at the response to my request for donations for the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk. The walk itself is just under four weeks away, and with the help of friends, family, and even relative internet strangers, we've raised...

$2,165.

Over twenty-one hundred bucks that will be going toward Alzheimer's research, treatment, and support for families with loved ones who suffer from this evil disease. What a wonderful tribute you all have paid to my mom, who many of you know, but even more of you do not. She, my dad, and I are deeply grateful.

I've gotta admit, though--when it comes to this cause, I'm greedy. Not for myself...not on my own behalf...but because I want so much for this very worthwhile organization to have as many resources at its disposal as possible.

Alzheimers--you've made this personal. And I'm gonna be part of the collective butt-kicking I expect you to receive as we find out more about you, the way you operate, and how to put you away once and for all.

A HUGE thanks once again to all of you out there who have helped in this fight.

If you want to read more, my initial post about all of this is here.

And the donation link is here.

UPDATE (to the update):

My mom will be participating in an Alzheimer's drug study. I just got more info on the study last night. The drug is called Bapineuzumab. Here's what clinicaltrials.gov has to say about this study:

This is a multicenter, double-blind, placebo controlled, randomized, outpatient
multiple dose study in male and female patients aged 50 to 89 years with mild to
moderate AD. Approximately 200 study sites in the US and Canada will be
involved. Patients will be randomized to receive either bapineuzumab or placebo.
Each patient's participation will last approximately 1.5 years.Bapineuzumab is a
humanized monoclonal antibody, which binds to and clears beta amyloid peptide,
and is designed to provide antibodies to beta amyloid directly to the patient.

It's beta amyloid peptide that causes the "brain tangles" that most scientists think cause Alzheimers. So the hope is that the drug will bind to, clear out, and prevent the return of that stuff. According to the site, 3/4 of the participants will receive the drug, while 1/4 will receive the placebo--and neither the participant nor their doctor will know what they're getting during the trial.

I know my mom's excited both to be able to help in the fight against Alzheimers AND at the possibility that in the process, this drug may be of benefit to her as well. It's this kind of study that the money from the Memory Walk helps to support.

So, at the risk of sounding like a broken record, thanks again, and God bless.

LH

2008 Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk

My mom, with Kiddo...about 2 years ago.

In my almost 2 years of blogging, I think this is the first time I will have used the blog for an appeal. But there's always a first time for everything, right? And this is for a cause that especially hits home for me.

This is where the "confession" part of my blog title comes in, because there's something that's been a big part of my life for the last three years that I haven't mentioned in this little online forum up to this point. Most of you probably don't know that my mom was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's 3 years ago, at age 55. She's a lifelong nurse, a former caseworker for the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging, a Stephen Minister at her church, a smart, loving, and caring woman, and the best mom (and grandmother!) a person could ask for. I want to do my part to help end this disease not only for her, but for the millions of others who have been and will be affected by Alzheimer's.

To that end, I'll be walking in the 2008 Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk, which raises money for Alzheimer's research and treatment. The walk here in Lincoln will be on September 21st at 1 PM.

I had originally set a goal of raising $500 for walking, but here's where I ran into a most wonderful problem. The generosity of folks, many of whom I've never met, has been more than I ever could have imagined! 2 days ago was when I first started soliciting donations...and in less than 48 hours, I've raised more than $600!!!!

SO...I've set a NEW goal of raising $1500. A couple of days ago, I would have figured that would be impossible, but now...I think we can not only meet that, but exceed it.

Together, I know we can do this!

Here's a link where you can make a donation. They have buttons for specific donation amounts, but if you click "other" you can make a donation for any amount. Even a dollar will help!!! (btw...if you're not comfortable making an online donation, or would rather just not use a credit card, there's a donation form that you can print out and send in with a check. The link for the form is on the donation page, right underneath the little donation thermometer thingy.)

http://lincolnmw2008.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=269890&u=269890-226978816&e=1807203036

If you have any questions, feel free to comment or send me an email: lutheranhusker at yahoo dot com (thanks to spambots, I can't type out the full address). Also, if you know of anyone who you think might be willing to help out, don't hesitate to send them a link to either this page or my donation page.

And thanks. From the bottom of my heart, thanks. I promise not to turn my blog into a "cause of the month" type of thing, but this is so incredibly important...and personal.

God be with you.

LH