Until the sun goes down

Many of you know about my connection to Alzheimer’s disease. My lovable grandpa, Papa, battled Alzheimer's the last five years of his life. He was affectionate and sweet, a story-teller and a family man. He had a head full of white hair and a heart full of kindness. He was tall and handsome, and you could disappear in his hugs.

Papa was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and moved in with my family because he could no longer care for himself. I'm thankful that he didn't become aggressive like many with Alzheimer's do. But it was hard to talk to him, to carry on a conversation and he never could remember meeting Pat. Many people with Alzheimer's deteriorate even further, to a point beyond recognition. It's a terrible disease.

Many people still call it “old timers” disease, and it gets brushed off as simple forgetfulness that comes with old age. It’s much worse than that. The scariest thing about Alzheimer’s is that there is no cure. It is the only cause of death among the top 10 in America that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed. And it is fatal. What also scares me is that it is often genetic. That means that other people I love, or even myself, can develop Alzheimer’s. I’ve already lost one special person to this disease, and I’m determined not to lose another.

I have been a supporter of the Alzheimer’s Association for over five years now, and my family and friends have continually supported me in all my fundraising shenanigans – a trivia night, a bingo night, a couple of baseball games, my annual walk team and now, The Longest Day.

On June 21, the longest day of the year, people all over the country will come together to do an activity from sunrise to sunset, to honor the endurance of people and their families who are fighting the disease every hour, every day. Some teams are running, some are knitting, some are playing cards. Each team member signs up for a time slot, so it's like a relay, passing the torch from one person to the next, across multiple locations.

My team is Dee Dee’s Water Warriors. We’ll spend June 21 playing in the water! I will report on every hour, showcasing each of my teammates and their activity to end Alzheimer's. If you join my team, you can do anything water-related, like:

• Kayak
• Boat
• Play in the pool
• Take a dip in the Jacuzzi
• Waterski or go tubing
• Organize a float trip or canoe trip
• Surf
• Run through the sprinkler
• Visit a waterpark
• Swim laps at the gym

Please, join me! Commit to a short time block and then ask your friends and family to make a donation to support your activity. All of the donations will go toward Alzheimer’s research, advocacy and support for families dealing with the disease. Message me if you would like more details.

If you’re not able to join the fun or you just don’t particularly like water activities, I sure would appreciate a general donation to my team. Every dollar counts. You can make a donation here.

This is my birthday wish this year: no gifts, just support for my favorite cause.

Thank you, thank you, to everyone, whether you join my team, contribute a couple dollars or cheer on Dee Dee’s Water Warriors from the (dry) sidelines. I appreciate it more than you know.

My dad and his dad, Oceanside, California

Papa ♥

Title lyrics – Mountain Sound, Of Monsters and Men