Our memories define who we are. They give depth and meaning to our lives. They allow us to form connections we need to survive and thrive. When memory begins to fade, we don’t just lose moments, we lose pieces of ourselves.

I’ve witnessed Alzheimer’s rob vibrant, powerful women of their identities—women whose eyes once lit up a room, whose laughter sparked connection and joy.

My mother-in-law was the strong matriarch of my husband’s family, she had a boundless love for life and for everyone around her. Alzheimer’s slowly stole her independence, her sense of identity, and eventually her ability to recognize the people who loved her most. She recently passed after years of living with this disease, but in many ways, we lost her long before we said goodbye.

One of my closest running and triathlon friends began experiencing early-onset Alzheimer’s in her late 40s. Saying that still feels unreal. We trained together, suffered together, celebrated together. And the hardest truth is knowing she likely doesn’t remember any of the moments that once defined us as teammates and friends. Her sparkle, once undeniable, will never shine the way it did a decade ago.

Alzheimer’s doesn’t only devastate those diagnosed. Families grieve in slow motion mourning someone who is still physically here, while their heart and spirit slip further out of reach. We cling to fleeting moments of clarity, knowing they may disappear just as quickly as they arrive.

That is why I’m raising funds for the Alzheimer’s Association, an organization leading the fight to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementias. Through groundbreaking research, risk reduction efforts, and vital care and support programs, they are working toward a future where no family has to endure this loss. Your support today helps families who are struggling now and fuels the discoveries that could end Alzheimer’s tomorrow.

If you’re able, please donate and share this campaign. And if you can’t donate, sharing with your community makes a real difference. Giving today will change tomorrow!

Thank you for your generosity and support!