Nov 4, 2015

For student Taylor Hughes, it started with her great-grandmother forgetting her name. Over the next year, it became more and more frequent. Now she no longer remembers Hughes or her daughter.

Hughes, of League City, is one of many College of the Mainland staff, faculty and students who helped coordinate a donation drive, raffle, walk participation and video tribute.

“(The video) was emotional,” said Hughes. “It’s hard, especially when she doesn't remember us. (Her forgetting) happened within a year.”

Students in the COM So Psyched Club, a volunteer organization on campus and in the community, helped coordinate. 

So Psyched co-advisor and professor Doug Alvarez walked with his mother in honor of his grandmother, who has Alzheimer’s.

“She was diagnosed after her 92nd birthday. My mother has been caring for my grandmother for years,” said Alvarez.

Alzheimer’s disease is the nation’s sixth-leading cause of death. It is the only top ten cause of mortality without a cure, according to the Alzheimer's Association’s website.

The Alzheimer's Association is the largest non-profit funder of Alzheimer's research. The association also supports a website and hotline (800-272-3900) to offer information and advice to more than 250,000 callers each year.

While the 2015 walk is complete, the journey toward a cure continues. To donate or learn more, visit www.alz.org.