Dedham Man Rides to End Alzheimer’s to Honor Wife

DEDHAM, MA - From the desk of the Alzheimer's Association: Sherwin “Sam” Lehrer, of Dedham, will bike 30 miles in the Alzheimer’s Association, Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter’s RIDE to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday, June 24. Starting and finishing at Odiorne State Park in Rye, NH, the RIDE provides a 2-, 30-, 62- and 100-mile route through the towns of coastal New Hampshire and the north shore of Massachusetts.

Lehrer and his son joined the RIDE to honor his wife who is living with the disease for fifteen years, “we have seen how an accomplished scientist-consultant can slowly, successively give up lecturing, writing, driving and finally speaking.”

To date, Lehrer and his son have raised over $1,300 for the event, “we call attention to the physical effort, a bike RIDE of 30 plus miles for an 83 year-old and his 49 year-old son, and our strong desires to end this devastating disease.”

Started by the Noonan family, the RIDE to End Alzheimer’s formerly called Memory Ride, grew from a small, family-inspired event to a cycling challenge attracting riders throughout New England and beyond. Each year, 90 percent of the funds raised are given to research restricted grants for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. The remaining 10 percent of the proceeds fund programs and services in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Since the event began 21 years ago, the RIDE to End Alzheimer’s has raised over $4,000,000.

“We know that five million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, by 2050 this number could rise as high as sixteen million,” said Autumn Hotaling, Development Officer for the Alzheimer’s Association, MA/NH Chapter. “We must find meaningful treatment and a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. With the awareness and funds raised by our RIDE to End Alzheimer’s cyclists, we will move closer to our vision of a world without Alzheimer’s.”

To register or volunteer at the RIDE to End Alzheimer’s event, visit alzmass.org/ride.

About the Alzheimer's Association:
The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's®. Visit www.alz.org/MANH or call 800.272.3900.

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