Dear Friend of the Alzheimer Society of B.C., Five years ago my son Ryan and I were planning our fund raising programme as participants in the Alzheimer Society’s annual Ascent for Alzheimer’s 2005. We raised more than $22,000.00 for the Society’s support programs for Alzheimer patients and the ongoing search for a cure for this terrible disease. Our fund raising and ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa was done in memory of my mother and held very special meaning for Ryan and me. That’s Ryan and me on the top of the world’s tallest, free standing mountain. Not long after returning home my wife and I learned that our good friends Allan and Linda Collier had received the news that Linda had been diagnosed with early stage Alzheimer’s disease. The past five years have seen a drastic change in the life style of the Colliers. Throughout Allan has been a wonderful care giver and support for his wife. I have decided to take on the challenge of fund raising and climbing Kilimanjaro again, this time in honour of our dear friends, Allan and Linda Collier. Ascent for Alzheimer’s 2010 will take place between September 6 and 15. A recent study has stated that everyone in our generation will either get Alzheimer’s disease or know someone who has it! While much progress has been made the cure for Alzheimer’s remains illusive. I believe our generation must do all we can to help find this illusive cure; to ensure that our children will grow older without the worry that this very debilitating disease may impact their lives. I cannot achieve the fund raising goal without your help. But with your help I know I will surpass the minimum $10,000.00 commitment I have made to be part of the Ascent for Alzheimer’s 2010 team. Because it is not the case with every charitable fund raising event I wanted to let you know that 100% of the money raised through your support of Ascent for Alzheimer’s 2010 goes to the Alzheimer Society to fund support programs and to finance research. All participants must pay for their own transportation and on-mountain costs. Thanks so much for your support.