My nan, Olive, has been an invaluable component of my life. From using, "I have a British grandma!" as my fun fact about myself through grade school, to learning what means to have confidence in yourself and be heard, and to always being a little cheeky, she has been such a pillar in my life. Always the life of the party, my friends were eager to see her at various family functions. Sassy, exuberant, and confident are the words I would use to describe my Nan. However, the past few years brought an acceleration in her dementia and tarnished her luster. It's been incredibly hard to watch the effervescent conversationalist, who taught me the art of conversation about nothing, quietly go into herself as the dementia steals her from the moment. She passed September 9, 2025, and I miss her every day. An avid knitter in her prime, she didn't get to see my recent hobby of crochet truly take flight. I credit her with my first exposure to the love of fiber arts and I create in her honor.

Right now, there is no shortage of ideas in Alzheimer's research -- only dollars. Which is why I am asking for your support. I am participating in the Do What You Love to End Alz fundraising event where every dollar raised supports the Alzheimer's Association's efforts to discover methods of treatment and prevention for Alzheimer's disease. With my career being in clinical research, I can attest to how much money it takes to get treatments to market. I want to do my part.

So now, I share our love of fiber arts for her and for us.

I am raising funds to advance research toward the first survivor of Alzheimer's--to the hope that there will be a day when other's nans get to stay their vibrant selves.

Thank you for cheering me on. You can see more of my crochet on Instagram, @GentryGoes