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PURPOSE
My Grandfather and I 
I became close to my grandfather after my parents returned from Europe and we moved in close proximity to him and my grandmother. During this time, I became fascinated with my grandfathers career as a physician and I was inspired by his stories of serving as a doctor in the Pacific during World War II. In addition, I was also able to see his career first hand by visiting him in his privately owned hospital. It was to be a very influential experience, which developed my desire to go into medicine. Over the years, we became very close and it was always a pleasure to listen to his stories and his wisdom as I wished to embark on the same career path. But during my college years our relationship took an unexpected turn. My grandfather developed Alzheimer's. His memories that had been a catalyst of my desire to pursue medicine quickly faded. Although I had always had an interest in neurodegenerative diseases my emphasis on them quickly sharpened as I became heavily involved in related research. I chose to spend this year as an IRTA Fellow at the National Institutes of Health in order to explore my interest in neurodegenerative diseases. Overall, my grandfather precipitated my interest in medicine and also had been instrumental in helping me to develop a passion and emphasis in a long-term career dedicated to an understanding of neurodegenerative diseases.
It is important to note that I refuse to accept the notion that I must wait until I graduate from medical school to start making a meaningful difference in fighting against this dreaded disease. With the connections I have to myriad communities ranging from the National Institutes of Health to my church, fundraising is a very meaningful and manageable goal that I can work toward. Even though it might seem somewhat idealistic what fundraising can accomplish, I have had noteworthy personal experiences that have left an indelible imprint on how fundraising does in fact make a meaningful difference. One poignant example puts this into context: when I was in third grade living in Germany (my parents were in the Air Force) my parents were the founders of a humanitarian organization called "Operation Provide Schools." In coordination with the UN, my parents provided over 5 tons of food, clothing and medical supplies to students/people in war-torn former former-Yugoslavia in July-Nov 1993. The project received television coverage by CNN World News (Nov 4 & 5, 1993), Croatian National Television and U.S. Armed Forces Network; in addition to Germany, and Croatia newspaper coverage. Interestingly enough, the money was raised in conjunction with my father's cycling trip from Ramstein, Germany to Zagreb, Croatia.
Not only am I involved in Alzheimer's related research, but I too - like my father - am an avid cyclist. I have completed a number of bike trips to include at the early age of thirteen, the perimeter of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The trip was over seven weeks and covered approximately 1,600 miles. Cycling is a sport that I feel deeply connected to.
Me, my Grandfather, my Uncle, and my Dad
officially sponsored by 
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