Help Christina Run a Half Marathon for Alzheimers

Hi everyone, my name is Christina Crolla and I’m running the Bend Half Marathon in Bend, Oregon on April 16, 2023.

I am running my first half marathon ever in support of the Alzheimer’s Association. This non-profit is near and dear to my heart. I hope that through this event, I can help make a difference in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s is a devastating progressive brain disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It is estimated that more than 6 million Americans have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s today. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia, a term used to describe a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s not only affects the people that are diagnosed with the disease, but the loved ones in their communities as well.

Two amazing individuals in my life have been diagnosed with this disease. Bert Coppola (my dad' uncle) and Tom Murray (my partner Mike's dad).

My Uncle Bert passed away in 2017 after a long and hard-fought battle against Alzheimer’s. He was an amazing father to two of my cousins and a loving husband to my aunt. Before he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Bert and his wife ran a local restaurant in Scotland called Cafe 91. People constantly enjoyed the restaurant's food and icecream, but also Bert’s presence. He loved serving the community in this way and he affected so many people in the community in a positive way.

Mike's dad Tom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2015 and is always a joy to be around. He is currently living in a memory care facility outside of Portland, Oregon and is loved by so many. When we lived in Portland, Mike and I would try and visit Tom as often as we could. We would often help him eat lunch, sit outside and chat, and watch TV with him. Tom and his wife Amy raised an amazing son and I am forever grateful to Tom for that. It's been difficult on all of us to watch his memory decline and help take care of him.

I want to see a future where we can either find a cure for Alzheimer’s or prevent Alzheimer’s from occurring altogether. By raising funds through this event, we can help fund vital research and support services for those affected by the disease. Every donation, no matter the size, will make a difference in this fight. Even if you are unable to donate, re-sharing this GoFundMe would help immensely!

Thank you for your consideration and support in advance.