Friday Block 2

Friday Block 2

>>> in honor of alzheimer's and brain awareness month it is time to get back in the saddle for a ride to remember.

We are joined by zoe watkins, a volunteer with the alzheimer's association south carolina chapter.

Thank you for being with us.

>> thank you.

>> and i see you are wearing your purple hashtag.

Tell us what it is.

>> # and alls.

>> and alls.

You want to make sure you are in support of the folks fighting this battle which there is no known cure yet.

I know that the researchers are feverishly working to try to find any kind of therapies or a solution to alzheimer's.

Until that happens we need to show our support.

And the ride to remember is one way we can do that.

First if you can tell us a little more about why you decided to become a volunteer with this organization.

>> absolutely.

When i was 17 i was a caregiver for my grandmother who battled dementia.

I watched this woman who was the most vibrant and independent woman in my life, all her meme -- memory taken by dementia.

The impact it had on me and on my family, that's really why i am an advocate for alzheimer's.

I have been volunteering with the alzheimer's association going on five years now.

>> that's amazing.

And there are so many people affected by it who either have it or who are caretakers.

Can you tell us a day in the life of taking care of your grandmother, especially as her disease progressed?

>> yeah, so whenever we first started to see a little cognitive decline you think -- and at this point i didn't know what i do now about alzheimer's.

You think it is just old age.

Alzheimers and dementia is not a normal part of aging.

When my grand -- grand mother -- when i was younger she was sharp and witty.

Over the years she started to decline and she would forget to take her medications and forget to shower.

She would forget to eat if we didn't prepare her meals for her.

So just waking up in the morning i would go and cook her a biscuit.

I would sit down and make sure she had her medication.

I would have the tv on and get her settled for the day.

A couple sweet memories, but it is sad to see someone so independent to really lose that.

>> living with someone and then watching them change into someone that you no longer know must be very difficult.

For people to get out there and to take part in a ride to remember is so utterly important.

We don't want more people to experience what you experienced with your grandmother.

Tell us a bit more about this y -- this event and what it is about.

>> i have been able to volunteer at patriots point for the last two or three years.

I toyed with the idea of writing the last 100.

I never thought this year was going to be the opportunity that i would have to get involved.

It is typically 252 miles over three days and it starts in greenville and it ends in charleston.

Now we just moved to a virtual event and we were able to engage so many people that are not out as cyclists.

You can ride in -- indoor like me and take a beach cruiser.

You can still put your passion to the pedal and get involved.

>> so you have a peleton.

Do you have to have one of these in order to take part?

I know it is a very special kind of bike, indoor bike that works in its own unique way.

Can you be on your regular old bike?

>> as long as you can track your miles, so if you have a fit bit or an apple watch, most of your smartphones now have a way to track your steps and your miles.

As long as you have a way to track you can get involved and you can sign up for a ride to remember.

>> 252 miles, that's the goal.

How much money do we have to raise?

>> the goal is $650,000.

If you want to get involved, instead of three days you have the entire month of july to break up the 252 miles.

You don't have to do them all in three days.

I am going to break mine up throughout the month.

It comes out to eight miles a day.

That's doable.

You can do a little moreover the weekends and cut back over the week.

>> where does the money go to?

>> it benefits the alzheimer's association south carolina chapter.

>> thank you so much for sharing this.

We will share it with our viewers.

I know everyone will want to get out there.

People have been dying to get out on a bike and walk and it is a wonderful way to do it.

Thank you so very much.

>> absolutely.

Have a great afternoon.

Thank