Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Nicole Tuohey's Mission to End Alzheimer's Disease


When you think of Alzheimer's Disease what do you think of?

 

When Nicole Tuohey thinks Alzheimer’s Disease she thinks of her Gramma and Grampa Bradley, who sadly both received their Angels Wings due to Alzheimer's Disease. Nicole, like so many others, thinks of her caring loving Gramma fading away. A Gramma who once sewed, played, golfed, did crafts, drove a car, made the best potato salad, and always had a supply of Kit Kats and Smarties for her 7 grandchildren faded into a Gramma who no longer knew even her own children or grandchildren.

In 2007, Nicole started walking in the Walk to End Alzheimer's in Medina, NY. In 2010, Nicole wanted to do more than just walk. With the help of her family, she started Elephant Links to help raise money for the Alzheimer's Association. Nicole with the help of her family prints the Elephant Links and sells them for $1 each. She cuts each link and writes the name of the person who purchases them on each link. She then adds the link to the chain. This year Nicole sold over 1,000 links!!

Nicole annually starts the walk by cutting the Elephant Links she has sold.  The money raised from the Elephant Links is used for research, care of Alzheimer patients, and Support Groups for family members.

The Alzheimer’s Walk in Medina took place on September 6th and started with Nicole holding the Elephant Links in front of the walkers.  She cut the links and the walkers were on their way around the canal. The Alzheimer’s Walk in Medina is held in September annually with a basket raffle at the end of the walk, with treats for the walkers as well.

The Arc of Orleans County’s Day Habilitation program also made purple bracelets that Nicole sold on the day of the walk.  Over $90 was raised through the bracelet sale and the funds were donated directly to the Alzheimer’s Association.

To learn more about the walks in your area or information on Alzheimer’s or Dementia, please go to www.alz.org. Please join Nicole in the effort to put an end to Alzheimer's Disease.

 

 

 

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