I have pledged my support of Blondes vs. Brunettes in memory of my parents, Alice and Don, both of whom died of Alzheimer's Disease long before reaching their normal life expectancies.

I believe I am no different than most people: we all suit up and give our time and resources as each of us can to fight a disease, human impediment, or injustice that has confronted us on a personal basis. As an innate and often obnoxious inquisitor, for hours upon hours I have researched and read about cancer, AIDS, and Alzheimer's Disease, three still mysterious killers that have touched my family. I have found them to be parallel in two ways: they each have ravaging effects on their victims and their caregivers and they each have hope of being considerably slowed or halted within the lifetime of those of us now living.

Of the three, I have known Alzheimer's Disease the longest. Through the dedication and work of millions of health care providers and constituent advocates, it thankfully does not look today as it did 23 years ago. I am convinced that in another 23 years, it will look even more different...a disease diminished in its capacity, as was polio during the mid and late 20th century. I believe the young men and women who participate in Blondes vs. Brunettes will in their lifespans witness the vision of the Alzheimer's Association: a world without Alzheimer's Disease. That's one of the reasons I am so eager to support them.

The other is this: those among them who had the foresight to create Blondes vs. Brunettes have demonstrated the passion of an emerging generation of leaders to support the Alzheimer's Association and its mission in a unique and global way. My support, your support and their support of a Saturday afternoon power-puff football game has already helped the program take root in major cities around the U.S. In a fun but meaningful way, Blondes vs. Brunettes will soon be a national field of play where anyone with $20 in spare change can participate in funding the advancement of research, the enhancement of care for all affected, and the reduction in the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. How can we fail those now starting their adult lives in realizing the hopes they have for themselves and those twice or thrice their ages? Please consider a donation and help them help the Alzheimer's Association of Houston and Southeast Texas.