Local family rallies community for Columbia Basin Alzheimer’s Walk

On Sept. 19 the Walk to End Alzheimer’s came to Moses Lake.

Of those participating were the Ralston Rabbits, a team led by the Haase Family to support Mike Haase who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

The team name was derived from Mike’s fond memories playing for the Ralston Rabbits baseball club.

Becky Haase served as the team captain and brought family and friends together from Bozeman, Olympia, Vancouver, Seattle and Spokane to join in the fundraising cause.

Becky is Mike’s daughter and stated, “Before Dad’s diagnosis I had no real exposure to Alzheimer’s, it was a sad storyline in a movie. Something you didn’t really understand but you knew you didn’t want to get the diagnosis.”

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s affects more than five million Americans. This number is expected to rise to as many as 14 million by 2050.

This disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and is the only disease among the top ten causes of death that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed. The money raised from the walks the Alzheimer’s Association puts on goes towards researching methods of treatment, prevention and a cure for the disease.

These events happen each year in more than 600 communities nationwide.

The Alzheimer’s Association’s mission is “to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.”

Becky stated that the team was created as a way for the Haase family and their friends to help support one another during a difficult time.

“It was a way to feel empowered and do something when we feel quite helpless as to what we can do to help Dad… Watching the mind deteriorate in a man who has always been so strong and proud is a heartbreaking journey,” Becky said.

Dealing with what Becky calls the “learning curve” has been a tough road for the family. Mike’s wife, Sally, has been the family’s rock taking care of Mike throughout this journey.

“It’s been a difficult learning curve, telling yourself to stop trying to make sense of a disease that doesn’t make sense. There’s no rhyme or reason why some days a memory or name is there and the next day it’s gone,” Becky said.

Becky refers to Sally as the family’s fearless leader, “it’s a labor of love that involves lots of tears and strength… she (Sally) visits dad regularly, reminding him that he’s loved as often as possible.”

“The caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s have an often lonely journey and I don’t want people to forget about that part of the disease—I feel like it’s harder for them than anyone,” Becky stated when discussing the inspiration her mom has been to her during the past few years.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, in 2014 they estimated that the friends and family members of people with Alzheimer’s provided 17.9 billion hours of unpaid care.

The Ralston Rabbits walking team for the day was comprised of 18 of the 19 people on the team.

Together they raised $6,305 towards the goal of finding a cure for Alzheimer’s. This was their first time being a part of this event.

The team achieved this through creative fundraising such as, a cookie of the month raffle, haircut proceeds or free milkshakes with a donation at Memories Diner.

“This fundraising was possible thanks to a generous community – including travelers passing through,” Becky said.

This one walking event raised a total of $31,451.25 between the 36 teams and 230 walkers that participated. The Ralston Rabbits were the top team for fundraising and received an award that day.

Becky and the entire Haase family have come together to support her mother and father.

She stated, “I have faced the reality of my dad not knowing my name or who I was and realized that with your friends and family behind you, you can survive the sadness that surrounds that situation.”

For more information regarding the Alzheimer’s Association and the walks they hold community members can go to http://www.alz.org.

Donations are still accepted to the Ralston Rabbits team, just select the “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” page then search the team name.