On December 3, 2021, we lost a beloved family member to Alzheimer’s Disease. Andrea L. Colvin, a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and best friend passed away at the young age of 56 at her home surrounded by her family. Andrea always put her family first and understood the importance of spending time together, being a supportive mother, and a true friend. Andrea was married to her high school sweetheart for over 32 years. She enjoyed motorcycle rides with her husband, sister, and friends. Andrea had an infectious smile and laughter that will be greatly missed.
On August 27, 2022 we hosted our first poker run in memory of Andrea. We quickly realized that not only was our family affected personally by Alzheimer’s, but our riding family was also greatly affected by Alzheimer’s. In 2023, Lasting Memories Project, an IRS Non-Profit 501(c)3 charity was established. Lasting Memories Project continues to host our annual poker run, Ride Against Alzheimer’s and other events to raise awareness as well as make contributions to the Brain Support Network.
After Andrea passed, her immediate family decided to work with The Brain Support Network, a non-profit organization in order to confirm Andreas’ diagnosis. Brain Support Network was founded in California in 2004 by a group of caregivers, each of whom was dealing with the illness of a family member. Brain Support Network’s first mission is to make brain donation easy for families that want to donate a loved one’s brain. Research for a cure of any neurological disorder needs brain tissue from a person with that disorder. At present, post-mortem brain tissue analysis is the only way to confirm a diagnosis of many neurological diseases, including Alzheimer’s Disease. Brain Support Network has helped over 1,400 families accomplish brain donation, as brain donation can become costly. Brain Support Network charges no fee, but gratefully accepts charitable contributions from families who are able. Most brains have been donated to the Mayo Clinic brain bank in Jacksonville, Florida. Some have been donated to the Mayo Clinic brain bank in Rochester, Minnesota. Brain Support Network has also helped people donate tissue to other brain banks: University of California, Columbia University, University of Miami, Harvard, Northwestern, Rush, and many more. Brain Support Network’s second mission is the education of families coping with neurological disorders. Brain Support Network helps busy families identify the best resources so that they can have meaningful discussions with medical providers and serve as effective advocates.
Lasting Memories Project is honored to contribute our proceeds to The Brain Support Network every year. We are blessed to say that since 2022 we have donated over $9,000.00 to The Brain Support Network. We would like to thank all of our event participants and sponsors, without all of you this would have never been possible! The team at Lasting Memories Project looks forward to many more successful years of raising awareness for Alzheimer’s Disease and contributing to The Brain Support Network!
Love,
The Team at Lasting Memories Project