My climbing and this website's primary objective is to raise money for Alzheimer's. First was Memories are Everything: The Road Back to Mt. Everest - that raised $25,000 and now Memories are Everything: The 7 Summits - a journey to raise $1 million dollars through climbing the 7 Summits. While climbing is the activity, fund raising is the goal. 100% of your donations go directly to Alzheimer's research, education and awareness! None go to Alan's climbing expenses. I encourage you to read more about my partner, the Cure Alzheimer's Fund and make your tax deductible donation today. Learn more about Memories are Everything: The 7 Summits for Alzheimer's

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Ida's Story

We began noticing my mother's memories had slipped several years ago. During the 2003 Christmas holiday, we went to a hotel for their famous brunch. As usual, we all got up to visit the buffet and indulge until we could no more. I noticed my mom walking around aimlessly. As I went over to her, she seemed startled at my approach. "What do you want to eat?" I asked her gently. "Oh, you know, the usual." was her noncommittal answer.

In spite of this warning sign she and my dad continued their independent life for several more years, refusing to make the required changes in spite of our begging. As her memory grew worse, she mastered the technique of the elusive "throw-away" answer. My dad supported her deception either by design or by necessity.

Sitting across the table from her during breakfast, we chatted intently about dad being in the hospital. I had to keep reminding her that he was not well and it was serious. In the midst of this serious talk, she looked at me with clarity in her eyes and simply asked "Now, who are you again?"

With dad now gone forever my brother and I made the difficult decision to put mom in a home in 2006 where she could be watched and cared for every second of every day for the rest of her life. Her doctor confirmed she had Alzheimer’s. I called her on Thanksgiving, 2007. She was down saying no one was there and she was alone. When in fact many friends and family had spent the day with her. When I called her two days later, she did not remember any of Thanksgiving day or that I was coming to see her in a few days.

In late 2008, she did not recognize me or my brother. She had no memories of her childhood or those of her husband of 60 years. She could not recognize herself in a picture. She needed help getting dressed. The only blessing was that she did not understand what was happening to her and that she would probably die a horrible death when her brain 'forgets' how to swallow. Sadly,my mom's sister Christine Lane passed away on Feb. 21, 2008 from Alzheimer's complications. You see, Alzheimer's disease is not about just losing your memory, it is about dying. And it can happen to anyone at any age - it is not just a disease of the elderly

By 2009, her disease had progressed to the final stage where her basic daily functions are no longer under her control. She needed assistance with all aspects of life. She went on a hospice service to make her final time as comfortable as possible and to let her go on her own time.

She passed away on August 16, 2009.

Alzheimer’s is a horrific disease and is always fatal, with no known cure. The brain loses its ability to function, with loss of memory just one symptom. Eventually, patients forget how to eat or drink or breathe. In the United States about 500,000 people younger than 65 suffer from Alzheimer's, in what's known as "early onset " of the disease. One in eight persons ages 65 to 85 will be diagnosed, and half the population 85 and older will be diagnosed.

If you need help understanding this disease or are caring or visiting someone with Alzheimer's and have question, please visit the Alzheimer's Association website or call their 24/7 Helpline: 1.800.272.3900

It is too late to my mother but not for the millions of others this disease will attack over the next decade. Please give today so we can provide hope for millions more.

Please Make a Donation Today

You do not have to wait to make a donation. All donations go to the Alzheimer's and none to my climbing so please act today.

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Contributing Partners

Mountaineering Sports Training and Conditioning	Action Wipes for Athletes
Dirtball Fashions $10 per shirt for Alzheimer's Research	Available

Here are some startling facts about Alzheimer’s from the Alzheimer's Association's 2009 report:

• One in eight persons aged 65 and older (13 percent) have Alzheimer’s disease.
• Every 70 seconds, someone in America develops Alzheimer’s disease. By mid-century, someone will develop Alzheimer’s every 33 seconds.
• In 2000, there were an estimated 411,000 new (incident) cases of Alzheimer’s disease. By 2010, that number is expected to increase to 454,000 new cases per year; by 2029, to 615,000; and by 2050, to 959,000.
• In 2011, the first baby boomers will turn 65. By 2029, all baby boomers will be at least 65 years old.
• The 85 years and older population currently comprises nearly 50 percent of the individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, or about 2.7 million people. By the time the first wave of baby boomers reaches age 85 years (2031), there will be an estimated 3.5 million people aged 85 and older with Alzheimer’s.
• The number of people aged 65 and older with Alzheimer’s disease is estimated to reach 7.7 million in 2030, more than a 50 percent increase from the 5.1 million aged 65 and older who are currently affected.
• By 2050, the number of individuals aged 65 and older with Alzheimer’s is projected to number between 11 million and 16 million—unless medical breakthroughs identify ways to prevent or more effectively treat the disease. Barring such developments, by that date, more than 60 percent of people with Alzheimer’s disease will be aged 85 or older.
• As many as 5.2 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer’s, 26 million worldwide
• 73,000 people died of Alzheimer's in 2006
• Over 10 million baby boomers will develop Alzheimer's in their lifetime.
• Alzheimer's is the sixth-leading cause of death and recently passed diabetes.
• The direct and indirect costs of Alzheimer's and other dementias to Medicare, Medicaid and businesses amount to more than $148 billion each year.

Please download this 2009 report distributed by the Alzheimer's Association for an excellent overview of the disease, causes, costs and potential cures.