Alzheimer's Memorial for Harvey and Dawn Hopkins

I've been told Alzheimer's is not an individual disease, but a family disease. That saying seemed to be true since Alzheimer's does not just affect the person with this disease, but everyone around him or her. This saying became very real for me when both of my parents, Harvey and Dawn Hopkins, were diagnosed with this disease. I lived through their cognitive declines, which would become the catalysts for their passings. Alzheimer's is a cruel disease as it not only robs the person of their memory, but it also steals that special spark that makes a person unique, transforming that person into a different person. Mind you, this person is not someone you don't care about, but it does require you to form a new relationship with this person. My mom valiantly fought this disease for 17 years. Amazingly, she could still remember people and work crossword puzzles on a daily basis until her death on December 9, 2022.     Shortly after my mom passed, my dad had a rapid cognitive decline over the next several months. My dad was an avid sports fan. He loved to play many different sports, from basketball to softball, and he loved to watch football. Surprisingly, in the months following my mom's death, he lost all interest in sports and no longer even liked to watch football. In the year that followed, I watched him revert back to his childhood and began to think of him as one of my own children. He died on August 18, 2025.   Both of my parents supported the Alzheimer's Association, and now I support their fight. This fight is personal for me because I have a history of Alzheimer’s on both sides of my family. (Besides my parents, both of my grandmothers and an uncle had Alzheimer’s.) Research is beginning to pay-off and advances are being made every day. That's why I joined the fight to end this devastating disease by creating this tribute page in their names.   By taking this step, I'm raising funds to support the critical work of the Alzheimer's Association: providing care and support for families, advancing promising research and offering a lifeline through their free 24/7 Helpline (800.272.3900). Every dollar raised helps ensure that no one faces Alzheimer's alone.    I'd be so grateful if you would make a memorial gift in their name. It would mean a lot to me and those facing this relentless disease.   A future without Alzheimer's is out there. Let's get there, together.    Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity.