This year, I’m taking part in the Alzheimer Calgary Walk & Run 10K, with a goal of raising $500.

I’ve supported Alzheimer’s causes before, but this one is different.

This is the first one since my dad passed away.

Even writing those words still hurts.

For years, Alzheimer’s was something our family lived with. We watched this cruel disease slowly take pieces of Dad from us, while somehow never taking away the fact that he was still Dad and Grandpa.

There were hard days. There were heartbreaking days. And there were moments when we learned to find happiness in things that probably wouldn't have seemed important before. A smile. A laugh. A moment of recognition. Just getting to sit beside him and hold his hand.

When you love someone with Alzheimer’s, you learn how precious those little moments really are.

In the past, when I participated in events supporting Alzheimer’s, Dad was still here. I was doing it for him and for families like ours who were living through this disease.

This time, I’ll be standing at the starting line without him.

And that is something I’m still learning how to accept.

On October 11, I’ll run 10 kilometres in memory of my dad. Every kilometre will carry a piece of him with me — the man he was before Alzheimer’s, the man he remained through it, and the dad I would give anything to have back.

Alzheimer’s took so much from him and from our family.

But it never took our love for him. And it never will.

My goal is to raise $500 for Alzheimer Calgary so that other people living with dementia, and the families who love them, have access to the care, support and connection they need while travelling this incredibly difficult road.

If you are able to donate, thank you. Truly. Every donation, regardless of the amount, means more to me this year than I can put into words.

And when my legs are tired and those 10 kilometres start feeling a little too long, I know exactly who I’ll be thinking about.

This one's for you, Dad.