Meet three Alz Stars runners whose stories will motivate you this winter
http://www.alzheimers-illinois.org/enewsletter/january2013/alz_stars.asp
It is January. A month where we ambitiously declare that we’re going to start managing our finances more responsibly, pursue a career we’re passionate about or take on something that seems nearly impossible like a marathon.
It is a supreme act of will power to train and complete a marathon. The effort requires months of rigorous training, steely, unyielding determination and sacrifices of all kinds. Some might say it takes all of one’s mind, body and soul.
It is January. A month where we ambitiously declare that we’re going to start managing our finances more responsibly, pursue a career we’re passionate about or take on something that seems nearly impossible like a marathon.
It is a supreme act of will power to train and complete a marathon. The effort requires months of rigorous training, steely, unyielding determination and sacrifices of all kinds. Some might say it takes all of one’s mind, body and soul.
Chuck Aron is no stranger to the demands of marathons, specifically the Bank of America Chicago Marathon held in October, and not only does he give it all of his mind, body
and soul, but he raises money to help others who need a
supportive hand with theirs.
For several years, Aron has raised money for the mind by participating on the Alz Stars team, an endurance program to benefit the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association.® The cause is especially important to the Chicago resident who lost his brother-in-law, Paul Bracken, at the age of 58 to the disease.
For the body, Aron solicits funds for the American Cancer Society and for the soul, there are contributions to the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
“I’m going to keep running the marathons for as long as I can or until there’s a cure,” said the 66-year-old, who has even run with a torn meniscus. He added that friends have come to expect his annual letters asking for contributions.
Aron has run 10 races since 2004, and in that time has raised more than $90,000 for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. His total of $8,238 for the year surpassed his $7,500 goal.
Tim Farley
A Hawaiian shirt flapping in the wind – that’s what you’ll see when Tim Farley participates in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon as a member of the Alz Stars team. Farley, who grew up in DeKalb and still has family in the state, now lives in Savannah and runs with his brother, Jim Farley, to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association.
“Our father has Alzheimer’s — 10 years he’s been battling it and my brother’s mother-in-law passed away from it,” said Farley, who raised $7,205 in 2012, beating his $5,000 goal.
Running a marathon was on Farley’s bucket list and something he achieved for his 40th birthday. Now, it’s eight years later, and he’s found he doesn’t need to train much any longer.
“It’s truly more of a mental game than a physical one,” said Farley, laughingly admitting to even stopping for a beer or two along the way to the finish line.
Farley is actively involved with the Alzheimer’s Association in Georgia, and said he’s encouraged by what he’s seen in the years since his father, John “Jack” Farley, was diagnosed.
“The number of people who are open to expressing what they’re going through has seemed to grow,” Farley said.
Lisa Dooley
The day of the Chicago Marathon, October 7, 2012, marked the first time Lisa Dooley, a life-long runner, took on the grueling 26.2 miles.
A full-time working mother of twin 5-year-old girls, Dooley sometimes had to get on the treadmill at 9 p.m. to keep to her training schedule, but she never missed a run.
“I’m really motivated and disciplined,” said Dooley, who even suffered a dislocated hip at birth and had to endure several hip surgeries as a small child.
Dooley signed up for the Alz Stars team because her grandmother, Loretta Werderits, was living with Alzheimer’s disease. But, for several months, she kept it from loved ones.
“I sat on it for months. I was thinking ‘What if I don’t finish?’ or ‘What if I get hurt?’” she recalled. “Then my grandma passed away in July and I spoke at the funeral and told my family I was raising money through Alz Stars.”
Dooley went on to raise $3,025, doubling her goal of $1,500.
“My mom gave me my grandma’s treasured ‘L’ pin because she was Loretta and I’m Lisa,” said Dooley, who pinned it to her shirt during the race. “I hit a crazy wall at mile 23 and I felt like she was there with me.”
These runners are just three of the 144 that comprised the 2012 Alz Stars team, and the Alzheimer’s Association is incredibly grateful to each and every person who put in the hours to train and raise money for the fight against this terrible disease.
To learn more about participating in future events, such as the
Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K or MB Financial Bank Bike the Drive, contact Ellie Simpson, Manager of Athletic Events, at 847.324.0378 or esimpson@alz.org.
http://www.optimumseniorcare.com/services/alzheimerscare.php