Memory Walk 2008

I have a good friend that just turned 60. She has always been forgetful; however, last year she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. What started as normal misplacing of car keys and purse soon segued into difficulties with language and abstract concepts. Probably the worse thing is that my friendly, funny and outgoing friend has become a depressed, passive and angry stranger.

The Alzheimer's Memory Walk is the largest event in the USA to raise awareness of Alzheimer's disease and to raise funds for the care and support of people with Alzheimer's. Probably most important is the fund raising efforts to further research.

An adult brain contains about 100 billion nerve cells, or neurons, with branches that connect at more than 100 trillion points. Signals traveling through this network of neurons form the basis of memories, thoughts and feelings. Neurons are the chief type of cell destroyed by Alzheimer's disease (www.alz.org/brain/05.asp).

Visit the website and search by zip code for a team near you. If you cannot find a team, think about being a team captain. It is not hard to be a captain. You invite three people to join your team and they, in turn, invite three other people. Soon you have a team! Each member of your team has a fundraising goal, usually $200.

I searched for my zip code and found out that Hays County is having their first ever Memory Walk (5K) on October 25, 2008. I can form a team, join a team, sponsor a walker or just volunteer to help raise awareness. Will you join Memory Walk 2008? The funds raised by your walk could be instrumental in finding a cure for Alzheimer's and the brain you help save might be your own.