On February 24 the Hudson Valley Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association held their 14th Subzero Heroes Polar Plunge fundraiser at Berean Park in Highland. All team participants braced themselves as they prepared to jump into a very cold lake, all to raise money to find a cure for a disease that is often called the “Long Goodbye” as it slowly robs people of their most cherished memories.

Seven counties make up the Hudson Valley chapter of ALZ: Westchester, Putnam, Orange, Dutchess, Ulster, Sullivan and Rockland.

The total raised at the Highland event hit $48,277 with the top team Strike Out ALZ collecting $16,138 giving them the right to be the first team to jump into the lake; followed in 2nd Place by the Cold Crusaders at $7,079 and coming in 3rd was Team Sal that raised $5,900.

This year young Luke Erichsen raised $3,750 and over the past three years he has raised more than $10,000 for the ALZ association. In an online posting, his parents wrote that, “Once again our son Luke impresses us...and was named Grand Marshal, as a tribute to his dedication.” As the event came to a close, Luke was the last one to jump into the lake, “showcasing his unwavering spirit at just 10 years old.”

Director of Development Lisa Kaurich spearheads a number of events throughout the year for the Association to raise awareness of the disease.

“Subzero Heroes is one of out most important events that we do and outside of this we have five Walks to End Alzheimer’s throughout the Hudson Valley,” she said.

Last year the Walks along with a variety of additional fundraising efforts by the Mid Hudson chapter of ALZ raised more than $4 million. Kaurich noted that the Walk in Westchester County is their most successful fundraiser and this year they are hoping to raise $950,000 from that event alone.

Kaurich said part of the funds go towards finding a cure and her chapter is the largest non-profit organization supporting Alzheimer’s research in the area and is the third largest overall across the country.

Kaurich said they provide free support throughout the Hudson Valley, “for care consultation where you can talk with a social worker about care planning navigation; we have support groups for caregivers who are impacted and for those who are in early stages; we provide education programs to help to recognize and understand the disease through the 10 signs to deeper conversations that you might like to have with caregivers.” She said these services are paid for through events like the polar plunge that ALZ hosts throughout the year.

ALZ’s Executive Director David Sobel said new drugs are helping to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s.

“They focus on those areas of the brain to try and lessen the impact to give people more time of cognition. Every one has to make their own choice about whether that’s worth it to them because there are side-effects like every drug, but you have to make sure you make the right decision for you and your family,” he said.

Sobel acknowledges that there is as yet no cure for Alzheimer’s, “but each new drug leads us in that direction. The prevailing wisdom is that it isn’t going to be one thing, it’s going to be more of a cocktail and that is what people say is going to be the case; a variety of different things. I want to say there is hope and positive movement in everything we’re doing.”