Picture of my beloved grandma Theresa Gonzales, or simply, “Oma”.
Back again! This is my third year to participate in BvB! This year I joined the leadership team on the Rookie Chair team (aka Recruiting).
I've had an unforgettable experience these last two years. As a group, we raised $555,292 in 2019 to help further fund research for Alzheimer’s disease. It's amazing to see how many people are involved in this organization.
We raise funds from hosting fun events, volunteered at nursing homes, held weekly flag football practices, and went to a few events that showed the type of research our beneficiaries were working on through the money we raised in the prior years. This organization has become a part of my family; we truly care for one another and have one mission: tackling Alzheimer's disease. #TwoTeams #OneDream
What really inspired me to join the organization was the progress this organization has made towards Alzheimer’s research. My grandmother, Theresa Gonzales, or simply, “Oma” passed away 2 years ago from her fight with Alzheimer’s. She had fought the disease over the course of 15+ years. I can’t even begin to explain how sweet, caring, friendly, and amazing a person she was. Those memories I have of her will never be forgotten, and I always felt so loved.
She always made sure that if anyone came over to her house, she was always welcomed and left with a full stomach. Her enchiladas were the best in all of San Antonio. It was a struggle to see someone you care about so much, not remembering her kids, grandchildren, and everyone around her.
We must stop this debilitating disease! So many lives have been affected, and every dollar that we raise towards this organization is going to some amazing beneficiaries. I have a personal goal of raising $3,000 for this year, doubled from previous years. Update (7.18.2021): I reached the goal but now pushing it to $6,000!!! I need your help in reaching my goal.
Our season ends with an intense game of Powerpuff flag football at the historic Cotton Bowl. The guys are coaches, and the ladies are players. Everyone practices hard for about 10 practices over the course of the summer.
I feel blessed to participate with this organization and love everything it stands for, helping fundraise to fight against Alzheimer’s disease.
What is BvB, you might ask?!?! BvB Dallas is a young professional organization that hosts a powder-puff football game for a day of fun, fellowship, philanthropy, and enjoyment as a way of raising money for Alzheimer’s research and awareness. Founded by sisters whose father had Alzheimer’s, BvB is a personal way for young professionals across the country to raise awareness, funds, and support to TACKLE ALZHEIMER'S FOREVER.
Where will your donation go?
It will be going DIRECTLY to those living with, affected by, and/or helping those that have it! As well as research on further treatments/cures.
Listed below is a breakdown of the Beneficiaries we support this year and where the funds raised will go.
BvB Beneficiaries:
1) UT Southwestern Medical Center:
BvB Dallas will continue to partner with UT Southwestern Medical Center by funding the Clinical Neuropsychology Alzheimer’s Disease Fellowship, which provides the opportunity to rapidly develop expertise in differential diagnosis and treatment of dementia. BvB will also support UT Southwestern in their research to diagnose and treat Alzheimer’s disease by studying the before and after effects of focused ultrasound (FUS) on amyloid and tau protein levels in humans with Alzheimer’s disease. There are currently no other known sites studying the effects of FUS-mediated blood-brain barrier opening on tau in human patients.
2) The Senior Source:
BvB Dallas will continue to support The Senior Source via the Caregiver Support Program. The Caregiver Support Program assists caregivers with the challenges of caring for aging loved ones through professional expertise and supportive counseling. In addition, funding from BvB will ensure the staffing needed to continue offering seminars/webinars and support groups in both English and Spanish. These resources have become a lifeline to caregivers suffering from social isolation and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
3.) Alzheimer's Association:
BvB Dallas will fund projects targeting health inequities in North Texas by expanding and enhancing program reach within diverse communities. We will accomplish this through volunteer-powered program delivery and by working with Federally Qualified Health Centers to increase awareness and provide referrals to Alzheimer’s Association services.
4.) Center for Brain Health:
BvB Dallas will fund a pilot project to empower local individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and their caregivers by encouraging a productive focus on their brain health. Participants will take online BrainHealth indexes, receive personalized monthly feedback from a licensed clinician, and access online cognitive training sessions.
5.) Juliette Fowler:
BvB Dallas is excited to announce a new beneficiary in Juliette Fowler Communities, the sponsoring agency for Dementia Friendly Dallas. Dementia Friendly Dallas is actively working to engage the entire city to create a more compassionate community. The program provides a system of technical assistance and tools and resources to assist individuals who are taking action to improve their community, seeking to support those living with dementia and their caregivers to help foster safety, quality of life, and a thriving community for all.
Thanks for reading my story. Would you please donate to this impactful cause? If you're unable to you can still help by spreading the word or the link, which is an act in itself that I would be eternally grateful for.
You can donate directly through my give butter account or send Venmo @Bobby-Miller-32 and anything you would like to have written on your donation please put in the Venmo.
If you're interested in learning more about the organization or want to join, click here https://www.bvbdallas.org/join
