Team Callahan - Alzheimer's Organization

My name is Debbie Callahan, I live in Western Massachusetts and I would like to share my story.

My Mother Mary Callahan was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease early in 2000. She was only 69 at the time of diagnosis but she had been suffering the effects of this disease for months and even years before being diagnosed. Alzheimer's in a disease of denial. Certain things can be explained away for a while but eventually facts must be faced.

For 9 months my Father and I spent our time taking care of her at home, my employer let me leave work for a little while in the morning to dress her and take her to adult day care and Dad got out of work early to pick her up. I spent my Wednesday nights and Sunday's with her so he could play cards in a pitch league. This was a very hard schedule with both of us working and me living in the next city. After about 9 months my Father retired from his job with the city so that he could dedicate his life to taking care of her. Sadly, a little over a year later Mom had a stroke and she has not lived at home since.

I cannot even begin to explain to you how unbelievably much it hurts to watch a loved one slip away from you because of this disease. The fear in the face of someone that you love, because they are not sure who you are as you approach them, is devastating. And what it must feel like from their perspective?

My goal is to help stop Alzheimer's. I have been raising money for the Alzheimer's Association for the past 5 years and I pledge to continue doing so until there are answers, until this disease is stopped! All of the money that is raised by Team Callahan will go directly to research!!

Please help! (Soon I will have Pay-Pal set up for credit card donations.)

Debbie
August 8, 2004

I regret to inform all of you that my Mother, Mary Callahan, could no longer fight the ravages of Alzheimer's and she has passed away. She was a very brave and strong woman all the way until the end.

I miss my Mom dearly. I will continue to "Fight Alzheimer's" in her memory. I hope to never have to watch someone try to battle this unexplainably confusing disease, and I will hope that none of you do either!

Debbie
January 28, 2007

WHAT IS ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE?

It is a progressive, irreversible brain disorder whose incidence rises sharply with age. Symptom's of the disease include memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, personality changes, and loss of language skills. As the disease progresses, there is an ever-growing dependence on others to perform even the most routine tasks such as bathing and dressing. There average length of the illness is seven years, but it can last as long as twenty years or more. There is no cure. Alzheimer's always ends in death.

WHAT CAUSES ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE?

Research indicates that the symptom's of Alzheimer's disease are the result of the death of nerve cells in distinct areas of the brain. However, scientists do not know what causes the loss of those cells. Genetic and environmental factors are also being investigated for the rolls they might play in causing this disease.

HOW WIDESPREAD IS ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE?

Alzheimer's is the fourth leading cause of death among the elderly in the United States, claiming 100,000 lives annually. The disease affects an estimated four million individuals. Most cases occur after age 65; however, some individuals in their 30's, and 40's and 50's can be affected by Alzheimer's. Recent studies indicate that 10 percent if those age 65 and over suffer from Alzheimer's disease. The incidence increases greatly with advancing age: approximately 20 percent of those aged 75 to 84, and nearly 50 percent of those 85 and over could have the disease. It affects all segments of the population, and is not restricted to any one race, gender or socioeconomic class.

WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE IN DOLLARS AND CENTS?

The total U.S. cost for the care and treatment of Alzheimer's patients has reached $100 billion a year. Caring for an Alzheimer's patient at home costs an average family between $18,000 and $36,000 per year. Nursing home care costs even more, averaging $42,000 annually.

AT OUR 2006 ALZHEIMER'S PIG ROAST WE RAISED $9,300!! Thanks to everyone who joined us for this unbelievable good time (IT RAINED BUCKETS AND WE PARTIED RIGHT ON THROUGH)!! We have to thank SDrum and Floyd Patterson for providing us with excellent entertainment! We raised money for Alzheimer's research, and we raised awareness of Alzheimer's by doing radio and television shows!!

On August 2nd and October 1, 2006 we had bus trips to see the Red Sox play at Fenway. We had a blast! And we raised nearly $2,000 for Alzheimer's research!!