I am re-posting this email I sent out earlier today.  I've surpassed my goal of $150 and would like to go ahead & try to get $200.   I was overwhelmed with the generous giving of others.

Hello all :)

I am participating in the 2008 OKC Memory Walk next Saturday, October 25. Now,before I ask for your small, small donation....we're talking $1 or$5 here peeps.....let me tell you why this is very personal to me right now.

My grandmother~ Marietta Bellows Snow from Del City, OK~ has been one of the most important people in my life.  She was married to David Snow for over 50 years until we lost him to cancer in 1998, which was quite a blow for all of us.  They were so in love from the moment they met back in 1939, in Ector, Texas, and they've raised 4children(including my mom), which grew into 16 grandchildren and 19great-grandchildren.  I've always kinda viewed my grandparents as my heroes, which I know many grandchildren do, and I'm proud to say they are my 'roots.'

Three nights ago I spent the night with my grandma because I wanted to help ease her possible anxiety about being there.....someone actually broke into her home, tried to open her (thankfully locked!) bedroom door, but didn't take anything from the house.  She forgot to set her alarm &we think lock her door. Thankfully God was protecting her....she remembered to call 9-1-1 and the intruder scared off.  But the whole incident has left me uneasy.   We have to face facts we don't always like.  See, my grandmother is in the early stages of Alzheimer's (even tho the docs are calling it 'dementia' right now)...but it starts progressing fast.  Just in the last year I've seen major changes in her behavior and memory. 

Yes,after being in a bit of denial.....cuz it's hard to admit....my family is acknowledging the sad truth that she is going down this path.  We soon have to make major decisions/changes for her.  Recently, some scam artists took hundreds of dollars out of her account, and my aunt has now taken over her finances so she doesn't fall victim anymore.  There are some HORRIBLE people out there that prey on Alzheimer's/dementia sufferers.  It equates to preying on a child, and I take no mercy on someone who abuses & scams the elderly.

But enough of my soapbox. :)   My grandmother is lucky because she has a large family who loves her & is gonna look out for her.  There are Alzheimer's sufferers that may not have that support out there, and I can't imagine how hard it is to have other people start taking over your life for you. 

Let's stamp out this emotional, tragic condition.  Let's put a few more bucks in the bucket (!) to research& end Alzheimer's.   Come join my team & walk with me if you'd like~~~October 25th at the Bricktown Ballpark.   And now I'm doing what I often cringe to do; I'm asking for your money.  Seriously, $1 from 100 people would ROCK!!!  Go to my personal link here, just cut &paste in browser: 
https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=262545&lis=1&kntae262545=3AD21F67569A43AF918344D77FBD1226&supId=235299765

Thank you & PLEASE forward this to ANYone who
a) has a loved one with Alzheimer's 
b)knows my grandmother   or  
c)just has a huge huge heart & would like to help ;).

peace to you & yours.  my deepest gratitude for reading this.
~Lisa Curl