Every 65 seconds, a person is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
Father-daughter duo Ned and Sara Broadwater are fighting back by raising money for Alzheimer’s research with their Spoke & Memories Ride. The fourth annual 65-mile ride is set for Saturday, June 25 through the back roads of Boone and Hamilton counties. The ride will begin at 8 a.m. at Moontown Brewery, 345 S. Bowers St., Whitestown.
Four years ago, Ned and Sara created the Spoke & Memories Ride to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Association. Their charity has grown quickly to become the second-largest Alzheimer’s fundraiser in Indiana, raising more than $27,000 in 2021. The goal this year is to become the top fundraiser and bring in over $40,000.
“This is a passion project for my entire family. I lost three of my four grandparents to Alzheimer’s, and my dad lost both of his parents to this horrible disease,” Sara said. “My sister, Olivia Broadwater, founded Singing for Smiles, a music therapy platform for her work in the Miss Indiana program. Over the last 12 years, our family has raised over $100,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association and have no intention of slowing down.”
Over 110,000 Hoosiers are living with Alzheimer’s and more than 216,000 Hoosiers are acting as unpaid caregivers. Yet there is currently no cure. For additional perspective, Alzheimer’s kills more people than breast and prostate cancer combined. Over the past 20 years, Alzheimer’s deaths have increased by over 145 percent.
The Broadwaters are grateful for the sponsorships they have received to help make Spoke & Memories a success. This year, Moontown Brewing Company, Nature’s Choice Landscape & Supply, Gray Goat, and Papa Murphy’s – all businesses in the Carmel, Zionsville and Whitestown areas – have agreed to sponsor the event. Of course, additional sponsorship opportunities are available. Email nbroadwater7@gmail.com for more information.
For more information on participation, visit spokeandmemories.com. Please note that all riders must raise or donate a minimum of $200 to participate.
If you have a question not answered on the website, call Ned Broadwater at (317) 617-7046 or Sara Broadwater at (219) 263-8946.