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| By Erin O'Connor Staff Writer WESTFIELD The third annual fund raiser for Alzheimer's reasearch hosted by Debbie Callahan took place at the Son's of Erin on June 3. "Alzheimer's is the fourth leading killer of adults in America," said Callahan. "My mother, Mary has Alzheimer's disease, and is in the last stage of it. This event is in her honor, that is why we wear the Team Callahan shirts," said Callahan. One hundred percent of the proceeds from this Benefit, that totaled $8,000 for this year, go to the Memory Walk for Alzheimer's that will be at Stanley Park on October 1 Callahan said. "We have been the top team in western mass for the last two years now," said Callahan, "and last year we were 4th in the state." "It is very hard to try to have a fund raiser for a disease that most of the population does not know is fatal," said Callahan. "The government spends less on Alzheimer's research then they do on many other areas of research," she said, information that Callahan said she found at at www.alz.org. "The money we raise will go towards trying to raise awareness and research," she said. Alzheimer's is a placque that covers the brain and the brain shrinks it. It becomes a diseased brain, blood cannot pass through as it's suppose to and the brain begins to deteriorate, loosing function. The first thing to go is the memory, said Callahan. "Many people with the disease die of a pneumonia, because they cannot get out of bed," Callahan said. The Western Mass Hospital is where Callahan's mother currently resides. The Hospital has a section for those who are fighting the disease. "For my mother it is too late but not for others," said Callahan, "My mother was the kind of person who always did things for other people and this benefit is to honor her." The event included live music, balloons, face painting, a bounce house, and a giant pig roast for all to enjoy. " We have all been affected by this disease and the agony of watching someone suffer for years and years," said Callahan. "We want it put to an end!" We have a web page at www.teamcallahan.org and there is an address there for people to send donations to as well as a listing of our fund raisers. If anyone wants to support the cause we are always open to new members and volunteers. "I want this event to grow and grow each year, I want our group to raise awareness of this disease and its seriousness," Callahan said. "I know it is hard to put a fatal illness and fun together but there is no better feeling than to know that you have donated to a good cause,' she said. "When I am at the benefit I try not to think about her slow passing but to celebrate her life, she is a wonderful and generous person who would have done anything to help and all of my work is done in her honor and in her spirit!" |