Memory Walk is the largest fundraiser and public awareness event for the Alzheimer’s Association, and for me it’s also a time to surround myself with friends, family and loved-ones who come out in support of the cause and to honor my mom’s memory.  This year our team will also be walking for my father-in-law who has recently been diagnosed with the disease.  As if the tragedy of Alzheimer’s striking my mom so young wasn’t enough, it seems impossible that it’s struck our family again.   But, unfortunately our story isn’t unique.  You’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone today that hasn’t been touched by Alzheimer’s in some way.

While death rates from other major diseases have declined over the last decade, Alzheimer’s deaths have increased by 46%.  Did you know that for every $2.50 our federal government spends on the care of someone with Alzheimer’s disease, it spends one cent on research?  The time is now to make Alzheimer’s a federal priority, and Memory Walk helps highlight how many people have been impacted by this fatal brain disease. 

For anyone in the Portland/Vancouver area, I hope you’ll join me on Sunday, September 26th as we fill the streets of Portland with purple and walk to END Alzheimer’s.  Click here to join my team or start your own.  Let’s get walking!

First, the Vancouver Voice, where I write my column Couv’ Connections, is venturing into subscriptions.  Now instead of grabbing a copy of the Voice at your favorite coffee shop, it will arrive nicely bundled in your mailbox for a steal of a deal.  Click here for more info on how to subscribe and kick back in your pj’s to read the next issue of the Voice.

Second, I recently learned that I’m a finalist in the Oregon Quarterly’s Northwest Perspective’s essay contest for an essay I wrote titled, “Pack It Up Kids-We’re Leaving:  Lessons Learned from an Unlikely Football Fan.”  I love the kind of writing and features that the Quarterly publishes and am thrilled to be connected with their incredible writing community.  Plus, this essay is an homage to my Duck-loving dad who so deserves to be recognized.  As soon as the essay’s live on the web, I’ll share it widely. 

Third, early this summer I’ll be writing a column about Alzheimer’s for a new publication.  More details to come but as always, I welcome your suggestions, and for this particular column, any caregiving stories you’re willing to share.  I promise to change names and protect the innocent!

Saving the best for last…a release date for Underneath the Ash is coming soon.  That’s all I can say for now, but stayed tuned!

You can help by writing Congress now and telling them it’s time to action on this mounting public health threat.  Ask your members of Congress to:

1.  To pass the Alzheimer’s Breakthrough Act which will authorize $2 billion in research to Alzheimer’s Disease.

2.  To pass the Alzheimer’s Detection, Diagnosis, Care, and Planning Act which will help families get an early diagnosis and better care.

3.  To pass the National Alzheimer’s Project Act which will create a strategic federal plan to deal with the Alzheimer’s threat.

On top of the fact that I could completely relate to Max’s story, both he and Emily have an infectious enthusiasm for life and the cause.  We were all inspired by their mission and energy, especially Luke who enjoyed having them as roommates for a couple days and now wants to go on a bike tour.

Since their return home, Max and Emily having been editing hours of film they shot on the road.  They’ve also submitted a short film to the Neuro Film Fest titled, “The Music in Hugh:  A Look at Young Onset Dementia.” Click here to watch the film and vote in the YouTube “Fan Favorite” contest.  I just cast my vote and will stayed tuned to see what they do next.

Our inaugural experience with the Vancouver Public School system has been seamless.  While the language immersion may be unique to us, all of our friends and family report similar good will toward their home schools.  It’s things like class size, quality of instruction and setting up the schools as a hub for the community.   My friends across the river in P-town on the other hand are opting for charter and private schools because they can’t stomach the thought of a kindergartner in class of 30+ students. 

When my ballot for the replacement levy arrived in the mail this afternoon I ripped it open and voted “yes” right away.  And here’s my political plea to my fellow ‘Couvers.  We have an amazing resource in our public schools here–let’s be sure to preserve it!  (If you need more information about the levy click here or feel free to send me a message.)

The Alzheimer’s Association has seen a 25% increase in calls to the 24/7 Helpline (800-272-3900) from December 2009 through January 2010.  At our office in Portland, there’s been a steady stream of family caregivers coming in the doors for support groups, classes, care consultations and to browse our lending library.  It’s wonderful to witness people connecting with our programs and services but overwhelming to see how great the need is.

Watching the weathered, anxious faces of caregivers also takes me back to the days of trying to juggle a newborn and help out in caring for my mom.  I’m sure the sleep deprivation didn’t help, but there were days that it took every ounce of energy I had to hold it together.  And, I was NOT her primary caregiver.  That duty went to my father who was working full time in order to cover the cost of medical care.  In hindsight, I wish we would have tapped into more services but at the time (like most caregivers) we were just trying to get by.  So, to any blog readers out there who are also caregivers please visit www.alz.org, call the Helpline and take care of you too!

But, back to hoops…I’ve been a college b-ball fan since the fourth grade when my dad started taking me to the Far West Classic, a three day tournament hosted here in Portland.  We’d purchase peanuts, red licorice ropes and cheer on obscure teams with Cinderella dreams. My dad would critque the referees and my mom would keep meticulous track of the score with a half pencil.  The tournament long-ago ran out of funds, but my love of the game has remained steady. 

That’s why I’m thrilled that  the University of Portland is teaming up with the Alzheimer’s Association-Oregon Chapter to host Dunk Alzheimer’s next Saturday, November 7th at 7:00pm as the Pilots take on the Linfield Wildcats.  Click here for more information about the event or to purchase tickets, which are a mere $5 bucks with the code “DUNK.”  I’ll be eager to introduce Luke to college hoops, the smell of a freshly polished court and buttered popcorn, frenzied fans, and for the most part spirited players who truly love the game since they’ve yet to be tainted with big signing bonuses and multi-million dollar salaries.  Hopefully the event will morph into a new family basketball tradition.

There’s never been a more important time to engage in the cause.  While death rates from other diseases have been decreasing nationally, deaths attributed to Alzheimer’s are dramatically increasing. 

Major cause of death statistic changes from 2000-2006 look like this:

• Heart disease deaths decreased by -11.5%
• Breast cancer deaths decreased by -.6%
• Prostate cancer deaths decreased by -14.3%
• Stroke deaths decreased by -18.1%
• Alzheimer’s deaths increased by 47.1%

Memory Walk is a fun and easy way to rally together and shed much needed light on this growing public health threat.  On Sunday, September 27th we need to paint Portland purple.  Grab a friend, co-worker, neighbor, or classmate and join us at Pioneer Courthouse Square. 

On top of purple people we need dollars too.  The reason that other causes of death are decreasing is simple:  money.  When we as a nation invest in research, major gains are made.  Alzheimer’s research is currently underfunded, as are programs and services that help to support families and caregivers of those with the disease.  I understand that times are tight these days, but every dollar counts.  Consider forgoing your daily coffee fix or recycling a stack of soda cans.  We’ll gladly take your change!

Shameless plugs for spare change and two hours of your Sunday morning aside, I’d sincerely like to thank all of you who’ve participated in the past.  Even if it’s a simple as forwarding an email or passing along this blog post, every action helps.

The shift into fall isn’t altogether unwelcome.  I’m eager for soup simmering on the stove, crisp leaves cracking under my feet and the smell of damp morning air.  I enjoy the fleeting light in the late evening that fades just as our dinner dishes fill the sink.  Projects set aside in favor of siestas and weekend getaways beckon me.

So this morning as Luke trotted off to kindergarten with his backpack stuffed with Crayola markers and glue sticks and eyes gleaming with delight over the prospect of hot lunch and recess, I opted to pay a quiet farewell to the halcyon days of summer.  I marked this milestone with the return to structure: piles of paper neatly stacked on my desk, a menu mapped out for days ahead, and a well-overdue blog post.  It feels surprisingly refreshing and familiar.

[singlepic id=154 w=125 h=125 float=] [singlepic id=156 w=125 h=125 float=]When we originally planned our Batter Up to Battle Alzheimer’s event last fall we debated about whether to host the game in June or July. Oregon weather is notoriously rainy in June so we opted for late July in order to ensure the best chance of sun.  Well, sun was not on short supply last week.  In fact quite the opposite, we blazed all week under the hottest temps ever recorded in this part of the country.  As Friday loomed closer, just looking at the forecast made me start to sweat.  The lead singer of the band we had lined up to sing at the game ended up hospitalized with heat stroke.  The celebrity champions we had lined up to throw out the first pitch and make on-field appearances weren’t up to weathering the heat.  What’s a girl to do?  Simple.  Pimp out my family of course! 

[singlepic id=158 w=125 h=125 float=] [singlepic id=160 w=125 h=125 float=] Luke and my dad stepped in to pinch hit at the last minute.  And fortunately despite the heat over 6,000 fans came out to watch the poor Beavers get slaughtered by Vegas, but connect with a great cause right?  My dad has been perfectly humble about his lightening fast pitch and yes, for the record, it did cross home plate.  Luke, on the other hand has boasted all week about his experience on the mound.  Now he wants a trophy.  Uh Oh!