Ken Smith's Alzheimer's Transportation and Care

Hi everyone!

If you know Tracy and Ken Smith, you know that they are the first to ask, “What can we do?” or “How can we help?” Regardless of the worthy cause or if they have a connection to the person in need, they just always give back to the community. Now and as the Smith Family battles Ken’s later stages of early onset Alzheimer’s disease and a recent stroke, it is our turn to ask, “What can we do?”” How can we help?”

Six years ago, Ken was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s and chronic Lyme Disease. Early this year, he suffered a stroke which resulted in almost a complete loss of mobility. Already living with Type I Diabetes, this has presented Ken and his family with a new set of challenges. Our goal is to raise enough money to address these mobility challenges with a wheelchair accessible van.

Ken is a lifelong resident of Danvers. He attended and graduated from Saint Mary of the Annunciation School (’75), Saint John’s Prep (’79), and Providence College(’83). He and his wife Tracy have been married for 30 years and have raised two children, Ethan (Saint John’s Prep, UMASS Amherst) and Emily (Bishop Fenwick, Babson College). Both Emily and Ethan, who captained teams at their high schools, credit their father with introducing them to the values and lessons gained by someone who has participated on a team.

Ken was a Danvers American Little League coach and administrator for 35 years and coached Danvers Youth Soccer, Saint Mary’s Basketball, and Danvers Girls Basketball. In many of these efforts, Tracy was by his side as well as volunteering at Saint Mary of the Annunciation School and at Aztec Soccer for 10 years as an administrator.

Ken, Tracy, Ethan, and Emily still enjoy giving back, staying involved, and getting outdoors. While it wasn’t the 307 miles, he biked in 2015 and 2016 with Team Frates for ALS, the family did participate in the Frates 5K this November 7th. They would like to be able to stay involved and a wheelchair accessible van will allow that to happen.

Please consider donating to Kens’ Go Fund Me and forwarding this along, Lastly, the Smiths will appreciate as many prayers as you can spare!

We can do this! We can help!

Sincerely,

Mary White and Lisa Foley