I want to take this opportunity to share with you a personal endeavor that I have been working on for the past 12 years. It is possible that most all of you have been impacted either personally or know of someone that has dealt with the devastation of Alzheimer’s disease. As my mission statement that is attached outlines my family was impacted when my brother was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) in 2000 at the age of 50, and ultimately passed away at 59. As a promise and tribute to him and all families struggling with this disease I have pledged to raise funds to support Alzheimer’s Disease Research (ADR). This started with my home club in Washington State, The Sky Valley Whirlwinds, and I am attempting to grow the movement to ultimately include all 50 states and clubs internationally.
In 2018 we were able to have 3 dances in Washington State, Juanita, Olympia and Spokane, and in 2019 am hoping to grow that number and include additional clubs in Alaska, Florida, Oregon, Texas and Canada. The sky is the limit in the future with the assistance of Callers, Cuer’s and Square Dance Club organizations around the country that will join me in holding a dance to support Alzheimer’s research. In states where they have a medical facility that specializes in Alzheimer’s research the funds can stay local, or in the event they don’t have such an organization the funds can go directly to the University of Washington Alzheimer Disease Research Center (ADRC) that has a world-renowned research facility. Either way the funds will be used to support this important research.
I ask you to invite the callers and cuer’s you know, where ever they may be domestic or International to join us in this quest. The website with additional information is www,remembertodance.org
Thank you for your time and interest in joining this project by hosting an annual dance or event. Square Dancing is a great way to spread the word about the importance of Alzheimer’s research, raise funds for a great cause and have some fun along the way.