Dust Off The Dancing Shoes – Cody Dances For A Great Cause
It was announced a few weeks ago that I would be participating in Dancing Stars of Augusta. This is an annual fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association. The show isn’t until May 4th, but there’s a lot to do before then!
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Dancing For A Cause
Last night, I went to my first get-together with the other stars and committee members. It was a fundraising workshop. While I was there, I got to meet others who would be dancing, and we started talking about it. I learned that most of them have already started their dance lessons with their professional dance partner. That does make me a little nervous since I haven’t even met my partner yet!
But, I did mention that I have some dance experience. A few people joked that it would give me an unfair advantage. I’m not so sure about that, because it has been many years since I’ve taken a dance class. Also, I didn’t do a lot of partner dancing. Even the development manager for the Alzheimer’s Association didn’t realize I had dance experience. Now I have even more pressure to perform well since they know this isn’t my first rodeo!
I will say, the dancing part is exciting for me. It’ll be fun to have that opportunity to dance again. That’s the mindset I’m going into this with! But ultimately, the main reason I said yes to this opportunity is because it’s for a great cause.
Fundraising Efforts
Currently, we are 11 weeks away from the show. And my goal is to raise $20,000 total. But short term, I’m looking at this month. There are 10 days left in February. So my goal right now is to hit $10,000 by March 1st. It’s a big goal, but I know with the support of this amazing community we can make this happen.
If you’d like to donate, any amount is welcome and appreciated! These funds are going to help with research, awareness, and patient support. Maybe you have someone in your family that’s battling this, or it could happen one day. Let’s start now to find a way to put an end to this terrible disease.
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Thank you for helping support this incredible fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association!
The Alzheimer’s Association
Dancing Stars of Augusta is a fun gala that serves as a fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association. The Alzheimer’s Association does so many great things for Alzheimer’s patients, their families, and the community as a whole. Currently, there is NO cure for Alzheimer’s disease. It is a terrible disease that affects a person’s memory. The disease is the most common form of dementia, and it can start with mild memory issues. But over time, the disease worsens, destroys the memory, and interferes with even simple daily tasks.
There are over 150,000 Georgians suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. And it’s the most costly disease. The disease can progress slowly but eventually requires an around-the-clock caretaker, whether a family member or a healthcare facility. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, a person with the disease lives an average of 4 to 8 years after diagnosis. Depending on other factors, a person could live up to 20 years with the disease.
My Why
I have watched friends who have had a family member battling this terrible disease. There was a couple who used to go to church with us, and the wife was diagnosed a few years ago. This couple was like another set of grandparents to me. Both sets of my grandparents passed away either before I was born or when I was really young. So Mr. Don and Mrs. Pat were often there for me and my sisters through big life events. Mr. Don even tried to teach me how to dance before my first prom. You can see that photo below.
Unfortunately, Mr. Don passed away last year. And then on January 1, 2024, Mrs. Pat passed away after her difficult battle with Alzheimer’s. I hate that I hadn’t gotten to see either of them in many years, but still thought of them often. And their granddaughter, who I spent a lot of time with growing up, would keep me updated on her Facebook. She spent many days with her grandparents. Toward the end, I can only imagine how hard it was for her and her family.
Watching your loved one become someone completely different is very difficult. And unfortunately, my fiancé, David’s, dad was diagnosed with dementia a year or so ago. While it seems to slowly be progressing, it’s still heartbreaking knowing there’s nothing you can do to keep it from getting worse.
These are just a few of the reasons I’m passionate about this cause and raising funds through Dancing Stars of Augusta.
A Few Of Cody’s Dancing Pictures
