Leeza's Place at the LA Memory Walk
Los Angeles, CA

“Take Your Oxygen First”…that was the sentiment screaming out from the vibrant blue t-shirts worn by Team Leeza's Place at this year's Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk in Los Angeles. Our team was strong and mighty, led by our LA area Leeza Care Advocates, Stefanie Elkins and Yael Wyte. Add to the mix, the wonderful Vincent Arcuri and Judy Elkins and you had a slam-dunk success. Lots of the more than 3000 attendees stopped by our booth to learn of our programs to support and educate caregivers of all chronic illnesses and diseases.

Walking through downtown LA, I heard so many stories of hope and inspiration from families walking for their own private reasons. My sons, Nathan and Troy, were walking along with me for their grandma, JG, and great-grandmother. My friend Holly brought a “lollipop head cut out” of my daughter Lexi who is away at school on the east coast and couldn't walk with us.

I was invited to speak to the crowd and asked us all to take a moment to reconnect with our real purpose for being there. The professional care providers as well as the family caregivers each had an inspiration urging us to do more…knowing that when a group combines their energy and gathers together for a higher purpose, miracles can happen. I have been doing this walk for many years. While we lost my mom this year, we have not lost hope. We will keep walking and keep working until there is a world without the thief that takes our loved ones, memory by memory. Those who are forgetting should not be forgotten.

Thank you to my friend Steve Edwards who emceed the day for ALWAYS being the go-to-guy and for doing it with such love and grace. Victor Garber, Ron Rifkin, Bob Goen and Peter Gallagher were among the celebrities who showed up with their own stories of hope…their presence made it all matter more. The event committee from the Alzheimer’s Association organized a beautiful day and a lot of money was raised. We all loved being with each other and we all recommitted ourselves to our common mission. Check out our short highlights video we put together of Team Leeza's Place along the route!