MICHELLE MARCINIAK

Michelle Marciniak witnessed her beloved college basketball coach, Pat Summitt, die at age 62, diagnosed with ‘early onset’ at age 57. When Pat was diagnosed, Michelle grasped to understand what to expect at each turn with the progression of Pat’s disease. Gentle counsel and advice from her core group of friends were invaluable as Michelle had no idea what to expect when she interacted with Pat just like so many caregivers confronted with a disease they have never experienced.

What most people do not realize is that Alzheimer’s affects the loved ones, often the caregivers, as much as the actual patient. In the later stages of the disease, the caregiver takes on the full brunt of the disease. A loving support system is critical both for the patient and the caregiver. As the caregiver, the awareness of warning signs, what to look for, and how to communicate with your loved one with Alzheimer’s is vital to understand as you cope, learn and love your way through the disease together. And so, we will pedal.

Pedaling to raise awareness and funds in order to shine a brighter light on the need to help caregivers and to find a cure for Alzheimer’s. The conversations – yes, the noise – around Alzheimer’s needs to be louder! It has affected Michelle’s life personally as it has affected millions of others, most likely including you.

Michelle pedaled in the inaugural 2017 Pedal for Pat 1,098-mile cycling event as co-chair and board member and the 2018 Pedal for Alzheimer’s 1,098-mile cycling event. A combined $170,000 was issued to further the mission of Alzheimer’s research, education, support and care.

Join the organization in the fight as we will ride for Pat and all of your loved ones afflicted with Alzheimer’s. To what end? We want hope. We want hope… so that a diagnosis does not come with today’s certainty of the outcome. We want that for the diagnosed and for those who care for them. We want hope… that there is hope to be cured. To be cared for and cured.

Everyone’s family either has been or will be touched by this awful disease. As a former point guard for Pat, I feel it is my calling to shed the brightest of lights on Pat’s legacy to help people understand why one courageous woman’s fight can be the reason for a cure.