Alzheimer

We let my dad go on June 5, 11:30 pm. He waited for me, he went peacefully, and for that, I feel so blessed and grateful.

Here are some things about my dad, that I'd like people to know:

- He taught me how to read and write (along with PBS )

- He lived through both the Japanese and US-occupations of the Philippines

- He jumped on a cargo ship when he was in his late teens to find work and traveled around Asia and Europe.

- He fought in the Philippine Army in the Korean War on behalf of the US.

- We couldn't afford a babysitter when I was little, so he would watch me during the day while my mom was a work, then go to work at night. He eventually quit work and watched my full time.

- He likes Ray-Ban sunglasses, chocolate ice cream and rum (in no particular order)

- He likes crossword puzzles, word games and taught me how to play dominoes.

- He would document life as much as possible: take photos, home videos, and keep a journal jotting down holidays, news headlines and the weather that day.

- He’s a big Golden State Warriors fan #RunTMC #GoDubs

How will your donation be used?

Your donation will be used to pay for medical and funeral expenses for my dad and a portion will also be donated to Alzheimer's research and services for families impacted by this devastating disease.

You think you know about Alzheimer's? 

 - 1 in 3 seniors  dies from Alzheimer's, more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined

 - Older people of color  are roughly 2 times as likely to develop Alzheimer's disease

 - 16.1 million Americans provide unpaid care to people with Alzheimer's or other dementias and two-thirds of those caregivers are women

 - By 2050, it's estimated that every 33 seconds, someone new will develop Alzheimer's disease in the United States alone

 - June is also Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness month - my dad passed away in early June 2018

Thank you for your support

Your support--whether it's a donation, a note, or a promise to help others affected by this disease--means more than I can say. The past few years have brought more challenges and obstacles than I ever thought we could face, and there are people like me all over the world who still need help.  My family could not afford the 24-hour care my dad needed, so we brought him back home to the Philippines where we could afford it. Eventually, my mom left for the Philippines as well to help care for him in his final years. Thank you for helping my family during this time and for joining me in demanding we do better with Alzheimer's research and services.

Please, learn more about Alzheimer's disease and thank you for donating what you can. Your support and love are deeply appreciated during this time as we do our best to move forward and honor my dad's incredible, big life.