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Race Walking to End Alzheimer's

By George Papacalos Join Me

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Reach My Goal

Raised

$100

My Goal

$1,500

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Thank you to all our supporters

$100

Top supporter

George Papacalos

Jan 02, 2026
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My achievements

First Donation
First Donation

First Donation

Raised 25%
Raised 25%

Raised 25%

Raised 50%
Raised 50%

Raised 50%

Raised 75%
Raised 75%

Raised 75%

Reached Goal
Reached Goal

Reached goal

My Updates

My Story

Saturday 3rd Jan
I've joined the fight to end Alzheimer's! My dad passed away in 2009 at 94 years old from dementia. My mother, his wife, was his caretaker. Watching my father slowly slip away was incredibly hard for my family. He was such an important part of our lives and his dementia impacted all of us.

A big part of my dad's life was the United States Merchant Marines. He served from 1935 to 1966. Even though my Dad was away at sea, family was very important. While he was single, he always sent money home to his father. He even paid for my Uncle Peter's college tuition.

My best memories of my father were during 1967 to 1972. My Mom had a restaurant - Liberty Coffee Shop. Dad was working at McDonnell Douglas - late night shift. We went to the restaurant every weekend. During the week, Dad kept the house and cooked the meals. He didn't cook like my Mom but he always did his best. One time, he was making boiled chicken and put it in a big pot and let it simmer from 9 am to 5 pm. When my mom opened the pot, the chicken had practically disintegrated!   

Although the last decade of his life he suffered from dementia, through my eyes, he will always be that man in his early 50's who took me to Cub Scout meetings, school, sporting events, church and the Old Pike in downtown Long Beach. I even miss my dad's cooking, especially the over cooked chicken dinners. He was my Hero. Not because of the WWII Medals, but because he was my dad and he was always there for me.

My other hero was my mom, who was my father's caretaker for over 10 years. She was a strong woman who set an incredible example for me. My mom grew up in Nazi-occupied Greece, and when she was 24, she married my father and moved to America not knowing any English. In addition to running the Liberty Coffee Shop with her brothers, she was a seamstress, supportive mother, and devoted wife. Because she was unable to receive an education, she pushed me to work hard and take advantage of every educational opportunity that came my way. I will always be grateful that she shaped who I am today by teaching me to value education, work hard, and be brave, kind, and loving to everyone. 

I will be participating in USA Track and Field Championships for racewalking and road running, The Masters Half Marathon Race Walk on January 11, The Brea 8k on February 22, and The Crenshaw Mile on April 4, in honor of my parents. With your donation families can receive support on their Alzheimer's journey, promising research can advance toward a future without Alzheimer's and lives can and will be changed.

Your donation means so much, to myself and to all those affected by the disease. On behalf of more than 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer's and over 11 million caregivers - thank you.