Maki on a Mission: $1m for Alzheimer's

Maki on a Mission: $1,000,000 for Alzheimer’s

My wife and I have entered our dog, Maki, in the Cutest Dog Competition sponsored by All American Pet Brands. If Maki wins, we pledge to donate 100% of the net proceeds of the one million dollar grand prize directly to the Alzheimer’s Association. Our ultimate wish is to help find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Maki needs to win the final week 12 to become a finalist to win the grand prize. Please continue to vote for him daily, the entire week of October 18-24. Maki will need thousands of votes to be the winner this week, and we need your help to achieve it. Here is the link to his voting page: http://www.cutestdogcompetition.com/vote.cfm?h=A9D5DB452C2A8C8C26032DEA9F53BF9A

The Asamoto Family Story

My family has been severely afflicted by “early onset” Alzheimer’s disease. You can read more about this specific form of the disease at the following link: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alzheimers/AZ00009 . It is a rare form of the disease that can even strike people between the ages of 30 and 50. My grandmother, mother, and aunt all started suffering from Alzheimer’s disease in their 40s.

Over the last decade my sister, has also been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. She is 49 years old, completely disabled, and has been living in a convalescent home for the last two and a half years. Just this last week, we found out that she has declined to the point that she can no longer swallow food. The doctors estimate she has only one to two weeks to live. It has been extremely heartbreaking for all of us, including her husband and daughter, to watch her succumb to this unmerciful disease.

Many of you may have experienced the tragedy of Alzheimer’s in your own families. We would like to make a major impact in helping to rid the world of this terrible disease. Please help us make a difference. Thank you so much for your love and support.

Dale Asamoto

My sister and I, December 2004.