Guest: Alzheimer's disease claimed 7 of my family members. My race is for a cure
● Gayle Lawson
● Dan Lawson
● Mark Lawson
● David Lawson
● Linda Montgomery
● Cindy Threadgill
● Billy Lawson
These are the names of my dad, four brothers and two sisters who all had Alzheimer’s disease. Seven family members were taken by this horrible disease. Their names are important because I refuse to let their disease define who they were. They were outstanding, smart and caring people who were taken way too soon. They were business owners, accountants, a chemist, teacher, banker, speech pathologist, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and grandparents. They left behind grandchildren who never got to know them.
Saying we were close is an understatement. I tried my best to fill whatever role was needed for each of them, from hand-holder to full-time caregiver. I experienced being a full-time caregiver for my sister, Linda, and gained a whole new perspective and incredible respect for all those caring for loved ones with the disease.
My brother, Billy, was the last to go. He died earlier this year at the age of 67. He was a healthy, active guy who should have lived into his 90s. As he neared the end of his life, I decided I wanted to do something to honor all of our family members lost to Alzheimer’s. I started running 12 years ago as a stress reliever when my siblings were diagnosed one after the other. It became the obvious way for me to both remember them and raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association.
I devised a plan to run seven races in 2023, ending with a full marathon, which I have never attempted before. I named it OUTRUNALZ, started a facebook fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association and dedicated each race to one family member. For each race, I share photos and memories of each family member on my Facebook page.
My OUTRUNALZ races include:
● Feb. 4: Mesa Half Marathon, for Mark.
● March 5: Napa Valley Half Marathon, for Billy.
● April 16: Redbud Classic, for Dan.
● April 30: OKC Half Marathon, for Linda.
● May 21: Green Bay Half Marathon, for David.
● Sept. 24: Chicago Half Marathon, for Cindy.
● Nov. 5: New York City Marathon for my dad, Gayle, and my mom, Emilee, his caregiver.
The NYC marathon will be my first full marathon, and I know it will be very hard, both mentally and physically. My family and friends are great supporters, and I will be thinking of my family members that are no longer here the entire way. It is fitting that I end my OUTRUNALZ races in New York City. Our family has been in an early onset Alzheimer’s study at Columbia University for over a decade. Some of my siblings were able to make brain donations to the university to continue crucial research for this terrible disease.
I am thankful to be running with the Alzheimer’s Association team and that my two sons also will be running. They have been right there with me through all my training, and one joined me in running my first race in Mesa. He is also fundraising for the Alzheimer’s Association. I couldn’t have done it without their support and encouragement. Physically, it will be the toughest thing I’ve ever done, but I will be doing it for all the right reasons ― seven of them.
The Alzheimer’s Association services and advocacy for research funding and caregiver support is vital. We can and must support people with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers!
Julie Lawson Carlin will run her seventh race, the New York City Marathon, on Nov. 5. Find more details of each of her races with pictures and memories or make a gift to the Alzheimer’s Association at facebook.com/julie.l.carlin.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma marathoner runs to raise money for Alzheimer's Association
