In 2015, Ardie’s husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and cerebral vascular disease. It changed both of their worlds.
“It’s such a destructive disease—Jack already doesn’t remember most of our marriage,” Ardie says. “It’s so important that we find a cure for this disease. The man I love is changing in front of me.”
Ardie and scores of others are taking a stand against this disease for those who no longer can by raising funds to benefit research and more. This year, Ardie and other residents at the SilverCreek on Main senior living community participated in a NuStep challenge for the Alzheimer’s Association event, the Longest Day.
Residents and people from the community rode NuSteps from sun up to sundown to honor those impacted by this disease. “Last year, I rode over seven miles and raised nearly $1,000 on The Longest Day,” Ardie says. “When you have a passion for something, you just do it. It’s a lot of fun.”
This year’s event yielded great results. “We had a great event on June 21,” says Christine Shidla, SilverCreek on Main’s director of wellness. “We raised over $6,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association’s event, the Longest Day. It’s amazing to have our residents, family members, employees and community members all pull together to support and raise awareness for a disease that impacts the people in our lives and their caregivers.”
The day’s events also featured a speech from Sue Spalding, CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association Minnesota-North Dakota Chapter. Spalding talked about the disease and its causes. Members from the Maple Grove Fire and Police departments participated in the ride, as well. The American Swedish Institute presented a Trunk Show on Swedish immigration, and the family night offered a face painter, coloring, yard games and plenty of NuStep riders.
