Donor Spotlight: The Kihlken Family
Laura Kihlken and her family have been longtime supporters of your ARPF. Laura uses her birthday as a platform to generously fundraise in honor of her mother Ann Kuh.
“Watching my loved ones suffer from Alzheimer’s is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. And if this disease is preventable by diet and life-style changes, I think that needs to be shouted from rooftops,” Laura said. We all know someone suffering from Alzheimer’s and how the tragedy affects everyone involved.
“My great-grandmother suffered from Alzheimer’s disease in her eighties. My grandfather passed away from Alzheimer’s at the age of 76. My mother was diagnosed in 2017 at the age of 60. She was one of the proudest and most independent women I’ve ever known and for the past four years, I’ve watched her slowly lose the ability to take care of herself. My dad has done an amazing job transitioning into the role of her primary caretaker, but it’s heartbreaking knowing that their golden years have been stolen from them by this terrible disease. It’s a very difficult path and all you can do is your best. And your best is going to look different on different days. Forgive yourself, and do whatever you can to keep your loved one happy and safe. I’ve found my mom is happiest now if I just sit and hold her hand.”
The Kihlken Family
Laura is a shining light in the fight against AD. She explained that dementia affects different people differently. “From what I’ve researched, Alzheimer’s is a disease that is best treated before symptoms appear. While genetics can increase the likelihood that a person will be affected by Alzheimer’s disease, I truly believe that diet and lifestyle are huge factors as well. I think eating a plant-based diet and exercising regularly can go a long way to preventing Alzheimer’s disease. I like ARPF because it specifically called out prevention and did not focus just on treatment.”
Your ARPF would like to recognize and thank Laura, her family, and her Facebook friends for fundraising and honoring her mother, Ann Kuh. An incredibly generous way to celebrate one’s birthday. We are so grateful to the Kihlken Family and all of their amazing efforts in the fight against Alzheimer’s.
To learn more about the 4 Pillars of Alzheimer’s Prevention, click here.
To learn more about how you can raise money and awareness through Facebook birthday fundraisers, click here.
