We’ll meet on the Shopping Center side of the Villa Park High School wall, which is near the Villa Park Animal Clinic at 7:00 a.m. The address of the animal clinic is 17859 Santiago Blvd. Villa Park, 92861.  We will be running along the Santiago Creek Trail, which is an out-and-back run.  You can run up to 10 miles or turn around at any point to shorten your run.

Directions to our meeting location:  From the intersection of the 55 FWY.  and Katella Ave.  Head east on Katella Ave. (which turns into Villa Park Road).  You go only about half a mile east and you get to Wanda Road.  You go north on Wanda Road (make a left turn).  You go on Wanda Road for half a mile and you get to Santiago Blvd.  At the intersection of Wanda Road and Santiago Blvd, you make a right turn (and are heading east).  You drive 0.1 miles.  You will see this shopping center (Ralph’s) on your left (north side of the street).  Then you will see a Bank of America.  Turn left (north) and go between the Bank of America and the wall (the Villa Park High School wall).  You drive half way into the shopping center.

Happy Running ELAINE, MONICA and RICK S!!! Elaine will be running the Nike Women’s Full Marathon and Monica will be running the Half Marathon in San Francisco on Sunday.  We can’t wait to see this year’s Tiffany necklace!  Rick is in Detroit and will be running the Detroit International Half Marathon on Sunday.  He gets to run from the US to Canada and back.  He mentioned that he will have to take his passport to the expo.  Race day temps are expected to be 37 degrees, with a high of 53 for the day.  Brrrrr!

Michelle’s Alzheimer’s Walk:  Next weekend, Michelle will be participating in a walk to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Association.  She asked me NOT to post this in the blog because she feels that she is always soliciting donations for various causes and doesn’t feel comfortable asking us for money.  Well…I decided to post it anyway.  There is no obligation to donate…but many of you may feel it in your heart to do so.  If that is the case…here’s the info:

Did you know that more than 83,000 Orange County residents have or are at immediate risk for Alzheimer’s or related dementias, making it the fourth-leading cause of death in Orange County? Many of us know a family member or dear friend who is part of this growing number dealing with the neurodegenerative illness that weakens the memory and other cognitive and emotional functions.

 

Countless families reach out each year to the Alzheimer’s Association looking for help, reassurance, care and, perhaps most important, hope. Hope comes in many forms, including groundbreaking information and care, support and research into promising new treatments and prevention measures.

 

Since 1982, Alzheimer’s Association, Orange County Chapter, has been providing programs and services, free of charge, to Orange County residents with Alzheimer’s and related disorders, their families, caregivers and the community.  Each Wednesday morning, a group of people in the early stages of the disease meet in our office with their caregivers for a time of fellowship and fun.  They eat breakfast, play bingo, sing old songs and share their struggles.  This is just one small thing our offices does in addition to fundraising for research, advocating with policy makers and reaching out to doctors to make them aware of our services.

There is no cure for Alzheimer’s.  In fact, the only medications available deal with the symptoms, not the actual disease.  Alzheimer’s impacts not only the person with the disease but their friends and family as well.  Early on-set Alzheimer’s can impact people as young as 30.  We need to stop this disease!

 

Please help in the fight against Alzheimer’s.  On Saturday, October 26^th I will be walking to help raise funds for this fight.  My work has challenged each staff member to raise $500.  If we can’t show that we are passionately working to combat this disease, how can we encourage others to do the same?  I am reaching out to my friends to ask for a small donation of $10 or $25.  If I can find 50 friends who can spare $10 for this wonderful cause, or 20 friends who can spare $25, I will easily meet my goal.  http://act.alz.org/site/TR?px=8534588&pg=personal&fr_id=3281&et=6hYZz201jLf_k0nPSjMBMw&s_tafId=45276

Let’s attack Alzheimer’s with the same passion we have to fight other major diseases so that in 25 years, no one will have to suffer this dreaded diagnosis.

 

I do know that not everyone is in a position to help financially and that many of you already do give to causes important to your heart . . . I welcome your prayers.  Please also spread the word about our free resources – everything from support groups, referrals to financial planners and physicians, education on the disease and a place where you can talk to someone who understands. Our 24/7 helpline can be reached at 1-800-272-3900 or go to alz.org.

 

Blessings,

Michelle