Second Anniversary

Two years ago today, our doctor at Summit Neuroscience Center told us they believed Marcia had Alzheimer’s Disease, and there was nothing more they could do for her.  Some anniversaries are not worth celebrating, but this one is an anniversary I can’t forget.

                          

On a much more positive note, this weekend, Riley and I met with her friend Mike Napoli and his parents to talk about details of the 5K race Mike has been planning.  Below is a copy of the email he sent to his contact list, and one I plan to forward to mine.  Today is the beginning of the race planning and fund raising effort in Marcia’s honor..  Mike has done an amazing job getting the township to give us a date and working with various companies to do the timing, and has gotten the ball rolling on so many other things.  An amazing young man, just 16 years old!!  Mike wrote the following 

Hi All,
I want to start spreading the word about the Branchburg Race Against Alzheimer’s-A Quest for a Cure, an exciting event taking place at White Oak Park in Branchburg on Sunday, June 9, 2013. The Branchburg Race Against Alzheimer’s includes a 5K race (3.1 miles) and a 1-mile fun-run/walk to support the Alzheimer’s Association, an organization dedicated in researching ways to detect, treat, and prevent Alzheimer’s Disease.

Many of you are familiar with this terrible disease, and may even have an elderly relative or friend afflicted with Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s disease affects more than 5 million Americans, and is expected to escalate rapidly in the coming years. As many as 16 million people are expected to have Alzheimer’s by 2050. Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and the only cause of death among the top 10 in the US that cannot be prevented, cured, or even slowed. While Alzheimer’s typically affects the elderly, there are people in their 40s and 50s who are diagnosed with the disease. Unfortunately, my friend Riley and her family are dealing with Alzheimer’s disease. Riley’s mom, Marcia Stanford, was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s disease, and the family is courageously coping with the changes the disease has brought.

Marcia Stanford is the inspiration for the Branchburg Race Against Alzheimer’s and the Stanford family’s Quest for a Cure. When I decided to get involved in a fundraising effort for the Alzheimer’s Association, a 5K run seemed like an appropriate way to honor Riley’s mom. Mrs. Stanford has dedicated her life to health and fitness and been an avid runner in a family of runners. In addition, running is a shared interest between the Stanfords and me.
Additional details will be provided in the weeks and months ahead, including registration information and volunteer opportunities. At this point, I ask you to…

HOLD THE DATE AND SPREAD THE WORD!

Together we can raise money to help fight Alzheimer’s disease.
Branchburg Race Against Alzheimer’s
Date: Sunday, June 9, 2013
Time: 9:00 am
Location: White Oak Park
Branchburg, New Jersey