COLUMBUS, OH--326 miles separates Lake Erie and the Ohio River. At least on the course, Sue DeMay and her son Jim are covering on their bicycles. The journey is honoring the memory of Eileen Moon, beloved mother, and grandmother who passed away in 2016 after years of suffering from Alzheimer's Disease.
- Sue and Jim DeMay are in the midst of a 300-mile bike ride of a lifetime, from Lake Erie in Cleveland to the Ohio River in Cincinnati.
- They're riding to honor Sue's mom, and Jim's grandmother, Eileen Moon who passed away in 2016 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.
- The two have raised more than $3,000 for Alzheimer’s research
"She ate as healthy as anybody you would know. She took care of her body, she rode bikes, doing stuff like we're doing right now. But nothing she did could prevent this disease," says Jim DeMay.
According to the Alzheimer's Foundation, more than five million Americans are living with the disease, and that number could triple by the year 2060.
Alzheimers not only robs a person of their mind and body, but the effect on an entire family can be overwhelming.
"They say it's the long goodbye because it takes so long for them, from when it starts to the end, you see them just deteriorate. And I'm hoping some day, that they'll find a cure, or hopefully just that they can slow it down, you know, so its not quite as devastating," says Sue DeMay.
The two have already reached their goal of $3,000, and 100% of the pledges go towards Alzheimer's research through the Alzheimer's Foundation.
Although the DeMay's have come across some bad weather along the way, they've also had the chance to experience Ohio's summer beauty.
"We've gone through Amish Country through canal trails, now coming through Central Ohio into Columbus, you really get an appreciation for our state and how diverse it is both culturally and geographically," says Jim DeMay.
The DeMay's say they've gotten in touch with so many people along the way who've shared their own stories of loved ones battling Alzheimer's,
Both say they'll always remember this great bonding experience.
"I'm proud of my son and I for doing something for a great cause. And hopefully other people will learn from this and raise money for whatever they're passionate about and do something to help other people," says Sue DeMay.
And Jim says if his grandma was still around,
"She'd be worrying about us riding on the road number one, she'd be telling us to be careful and wear our helmets, but she'd be waiting for us at the end of the day with an ice-cold glass of sweet-tea lemonade," says Jim DeMay.