Nearly 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s and over 11 million are providing their unpaid care. Together we can help advance the care, support and research efferts of the Alzehimer’s Association ®. Your participation powers momentum around new promising treatments and helps us work to ensure access for all who could benefit from them.

Here are just a few examples of how these funds will directly help those affected:

• Providing care and support to individuals facing Alzheimer’s through a free 24/7 Helpline (800.272.3900), education programs and support groups.

• Accelerating research and creating a path for global progress. The Alzheimer’s Association is currently investing more than $405 million in over 1,100 best-of-field projects in 56 countries.

• Advancing critical legislation that supports people living with dementia and their caregivers, while recruiting a nationwide network of advocates.

A Note From The Organizers

Dear Reader,

Thanks for taking some time to learn about this event and the cause it’s supporting. Cecilia Hagan lost her father, Alan Shockley, to Alzheimer’s on October 19th 2024 - exactly one year ago from this event date. When her dad first started showings signs of dementia, Cecilia, her brother and mom had no idea where to turn and felt overwhelmed with uncertainty. They eventually found ALZ.org and found resources and information that made them feel less alone in this journey. When Alan passed, Cecilia knew she wanted to give back to this organization in some way. She had recently started playing pickleball and thought organizing a pickleball fundraiser on the 1 year anniversary of her dad’s passing would be a fun and meaningful way to give back.

Fast forward to May of 2024, Cecilia met Stephanie Densk at a women’s Pickleball League night. Stephanie shared her own story of why she got into pickleball. Stephanie had learned that the sport can stave off dementia and Alzheimer’s. Stephanie lost her own father, Jim Schulz, to 6 years prior and she wanted to incorporate pickleball in her life so that her own chances of developing the disease would be reduced.

Up until this point, Cecilia hadn’t shared her plan to host a pickleball fundraiser with anyone - not even her family - but in that moment, she felt compelled to tell this complete stranger her idea. Stephanie’s reaction was one of immediate warmth, compassion, and support and she even offered to lend a hand (even though we literally just met maybe 10 minutes prior!).

Now here we are, hosting our first ever fundraiser for a cause that means so much to us and having fun figuring everything out as we go. It’s been a labor of love and we could not have gotten to this point without the incredible support of our pickleball community.

Together, with you, we can help millions of families feel less alone in their own journey with Alzheimer’s.

With gratitude,

Cecilia & Stephanie

CAN’T MAKE THE EVENT BUT STILL WANT TO CONTRIBUTE?

Visit http://act.alz.org/goto/smashingoutalz to make a donation that will count towards the event goal!