In 2016, at the age of 52, my wife, Catherine Pieck, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s (ALZ) disease. Upon Catherine’s diagnosis, I searched for resources to learn how best to live with this disease & care for Catherine as it progressed. After living with ALZ for 8 years, Catherine passed away in 2024.

These 4 organizations that I have selected for this fundraiser have been invaluable in helping Catherine & me continue to live the best life we could together through this journey:

1. Alzheimer’s Association: Provides a free 24x7 hotline that I used many times to seek assistance. They also matched Catherine with a “dementia mentor” volunteer, Chris, may he rest in peace, also living with ALZ who would call her weekly and helped her to stay positive during this journey. They developed a friendship beyond their weekly calls and Catherine called him her “Alzheimer’s boyfriend.” I also participated in some of their support groups for caregivers of early-onset ALZ.

2. Dementia Action Alliance (DAA): Through another dementia mentor matching service, Catherine was paired up with Laurie, another person living with the disease. She was active in DAA & had weekly Zoom calls with Catherine for many years. Although Laurie was the mentor, she called Catherine her “angel”, because despite the circumstances, Catherine would brighten Laurie’s life!

3. Hilarity for Charity (HFC): Offered weekly drop-in caregiver support groups and a weekly men’s caregiver support group that were beneficial to me.

4. Lorenzo’s House: Through their early onset ALZ care partner peer matching service, they introduced me to Don. Don and I went on to co-found a virtual men's caregiver group for spouses of those with early onset ALZ that I continue facilitating monthly.

I have created this fundraiser in Catherine’s memory. I would appreciate donations (of any amount) to any of these 4 organizations that were instrumental in providing support to us during our journey.