Kelly Gooding

Blown Away by Your Support

When I signed up to run the New York City Marathon with Team ALZ, I knew I would be asking people to support a cause that is very close to my heart. What I didn't expect was the overwhelming outpouring of love, generosity, and encouragement that would follow.

As I write this, we've already raised $5,765 for the Alzheimer's Association.

That number absolutely amazes me.

For a long time, I've felt like I was living on an island, trying to navigate this journey mostly by myself. Watching my mom battle Alzheimer's and watching my dad become her full-time caregiver can feel incredibly isolating. But over the past week, your messages, donations, comments, prayers, and words of encouragement have reminded me that we are not alone.

You have opened my eyes to just how many people care about my mom, my dad, and our family.

This week has been incredibly encouraging.

This past week, I took my dad to have a medical procedure done. While he was there, I stayed with my mom because she can no longer be left alone. In fact, she hasn't been able to be left alone for more than a year. My dad is with her 24 hours a day, seven days a week, unless someone else steps in to help.

I thought I would share a little glimpse of what that reality looks like.

My mom is confused almost all of the time. She asks the same questions over and over again. It doesn't matter how many times you answer or explain what is happening—the information simply doesn't stick. It can't be processed the way it once could.

As the confusion builds, she often becomes frustrated or scared. Sometimes she cries because she doesn't understand what is happening around her.

One of the most heartbreaking parts is that she no longer recognizes my dad as her husband. She believes her husband has left her and that there is some other man around all the time. Imagine spending your life loving someone, caring for them, building a family together, and then one day they no longer know who you are.

It is devastating.

This disease steals memories, independence, relationships, and pieces of a person's identity. It impacts not only the person diagnosed but every family member who loves them.

That is why I am running.

Every donation, every share, every word of encouragement helps fund research that brings us closer to better treatments and, hopefully one day, a cure.

On the running front, I had a fantastic week of training. One unexpected blessing has been reconnecting with some women I used to run against in high school. We've started meeting up for runs during the week, and it has been so much fun building new friendships through running.

I also had my first Zoom meeting with Team ALZ this week and got to meet the incredible group of runners I'll be joining in New York City. Together, our team has set a collective fundraising goal of $1,000,000 for the Alzheimer's Association.

One million dollars.

It's an ambitious goal, but seeing what we've already accomplished together makes me believe it's possible.

Thank you for every donation, every prayer, every message, and every ounce of support. You are helping turn one family's heartbreak into hope. If you can think of anyone else that might be interested in supporting, please send my page over to them! :) 

I'll keep sharing updates from both my training and our family's journey. Thank you for running this race with me.

With gratitude,

Kelly