SPOTLIGHT: Trisha White

Each week we will be picking three (3) members to spotlight to tell their alzheimer's story and why they are running in this year's New York City marathon. Check in each day or week for new updates on who will be spotlighted and get to know your teammates...(each person is picked at random)

SPOTLIGHT: Trisha White

Uncle Mike was the clown, prankster and jokester in our family. He was a fun-loving son, brother, uncle, husband, father and grandfather. Uncle Mike was diagnosed with Alzheimer's at the young age of 49 and the disease quickly took his life and he passed away at the age of 54. Uncle Mike is no longer a prisoner in his own body and he is free to stretch his wings.

Today we saw an eagle, What a vision it was to see

On this day of mourning, Such a light that came from thee

Today we saw an eagle, It circled high above us all

A sign to know he's happy, His pain is gone this fall

Today we saw an eagle, His way to say good-bye

He soared up into the clouds, Up to Heaven he will fly.

-Bethany Greene, In Memory of "Uncle Mike" Labbe 1951-2005

I volunteer with the Alzheimer's association and I am assisting Team Run 2 Remember in training for the marathon. I volunteer my time to the team because time is something that Alzheimer's stole from my Uncle and the one thing that my second cousins won't have with their grandfather.

Liz's - Silent Art Online Auction

Silent art online auction

There are over 20 works of art to bid on and 100% of the proceeds go to the Alzheimer's Association (and will be added to the funds I am raising to run in the marathon).

Please visit www.artforalzheimers.com to view the work (more images will be added daily), and if you are in town on Monday October 5th please join us at Motor City Bar @ 6-9pm for the final evening of the auction and party to celebrate the generous artists who donated work.

The party will also be an opportunity to see the works in person.

There is more information is on the website, but please feel free to contact me if you have any questions and to place your bids!

Love,

Liz J

SPOTLIGHT: Jeremy Ruberg

Each week we will be picking three (3) members to spotlight to tell their alzheimer's story and why they are running in this year's New York City marathon. Check in each day or week for new updates on who will be spotlighted and get to know your teammates...(each person is picked at random)

SPOTLIGHT: Jeremy Ruberg

My grandmother Ursula Brunn was a great grandmother. Starting when I was ten years old, I would travel a the the end of the summer to Buffalo NY to spend time with her and my grandfather. While my grandfather was busy at work, my grandmother and I would have lots of fun together. She would take me museums and shows. We would go good shopping and then come home and cook together. For many years, we spent countless hours of quality time together. Visiting Buffalo at the end of the summer and hanging out with Grandma, as she was affectionately known, was one of my favorite experiences of my childhood.

Sadly, over time, Grandma began to lose her energy and memory and the woman who I came to know began to slowly slip away. The loss was certainly painful for me but even more so for my grandfather, Papa. As Grandma's condition worsened, Papa's devotion to her never wavered and his love never ceased. He was her caretaker and partner till the very end. My Grandma overcame the horrors of the Holocaust, made a life here in the United States, and raised a wonderful family in partnership with my Papa that was an integral part of the Buffalo Jewish community. Sadly, Alzheimer's was one challenge they could not overcome.

Therefore, I am running for them. I am running for my Grandma who suffered from this terrible disease and in honor of my Papa who like so many loved ones who give their heart and soul in caring for those those affected by Alzheimer's. I know that the run will be challenging, but none of my training can be anywhere nearly as hard as the challenges they overcame together. They are my inspiration.

Uniforms

Racing Singlet

Training Shirt

Jacket

SPOTLIGHT: Benjamin Farley

Each week we will be picking three (3) members to spotlight to tell their alzheimer's story and why they are running in this year's New York City marathon. Check in each day or week for new updates on who will be spotlighted and get to know your teammates...(each person is picked at random)

SPOTLIGHT: Benjamin Farley

I am running for the foundation as my wifes grandma had Alzheimers and my grandma suffered from dimentia. Auguste was on the junior committee for some time so the fundraising is very important to both of us to find a cure.

I have played team sports all of my life and have always admired the challenge of the marathon without ever doing it. What better challenge than taking on the NY marathon for the first time.

We just had our first child in june and I want to make sure that this disease is cured he will never have to experience directly or indirectly.

I am from Australia and have been living in NYC for 3.5 yrs now and have watched the marathon every year up in central park and every year I have always said that I would do it the following year, well I guess this is the year...I can't wait.

SPOTLIGHT: Erin Eininger

Each week we will be picking three (3) members to spotlight to tell their alzheimer's story and why they are running in this year's New York City marathon. Check in each day or week for new updates on who will be spotlighted and get to know your teammates...(each person is picked at random)

SPOTLIGHT: Erin Eininger

Big Boss on the Big Job.

My Grampa was an engineer; a technical man. He could tell you all the facts you need to know on the Cleveland Indians, air purification systems, golf, maps, etc. He played rummy like a master and every morning he did the jumble and the crossword puzzle from the Cleveland Plain Dealer while whistling to 1940's tunes that I never knew. In 2001, my intelligent, funny, interesting, active Grampa was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. At that point, I don’t think that my family realized the impact that this horrific disease was going to have on each and every one of us but mostly on my Gramma. She had to learn how to pump gas and pay bills amongst many other things that my Grampa would simply take care of throughout their marriage. The feeling of helplessness at the fact that I was slowly seeing my Grampa slip-away motivated me to join the Junior Committee in 2008. I needed to feel empowered. I needed to feel like I was doing all that I can to end this thing.

While running a marathon was not on my 2009 To-Do list, when the JC found out that we (finally) got numbers, I could not say no!

I'm running the marathon for the 49 other marathoners committed in a journey to end Alzheimer's. I'm running the marathon for the Junior Committee - because the positive impact that we all have on so many lives is inspiring. I'm running the marathon for my Eema whose Dad today is nothing like the Dad she remembers as a child. But mainly I’m running for my Grampa and my Gramma who are simply incredible.

SPOTLIGHT:Peter Mazzone

Each week we will be picking three (3) members to spotlight to tell their alzheimer's story and why they are running in this year's New York City marathon. Check in each day or week for new updates on who will be spotlighted and get to know your teammates...(each person is picked at random)

SPOTLIGHT: Peter Mazzone

I am connected to the Alzheimer's disease through my brother's girlfriend Meghann, who has had multiple family members suffer from the disease. Through Meghann, I have seen the great things the Alzheimer's Association has done to help cure the disease and assist families that are affected by it. This charitable organization truly fills a great need in NY, and I am very proud to be a supporter of it. And running a marathon for this cause is an added bonus. I was thinking about running the NY Marathon before hearing about this opportunity from Meghann. But after I heard that both Meghann and my brother, Charles, would also be running, I jumped at the chance to be involved. I ran a marathon 4 years ago, and I knew I had one more race in me. My goal is to finish and enjoy the experience as much as possible!