Who I am and Why I'm doing this

To start out with, my name is Heather and I'm a young professional photographer. What started out as taking photos for friends and family turned into a passion and a job when I received my business license at 22. Since then I've expanded into doing weddings and events as well.
I live with my husband, our 2 dogs, 4 ferrets and numerous fish in Sterling, Illinois.
That's pretty much me in a nutshell.

As for why I'm doing this, the answer isn't quite as simple.

For the last year and a half or so, my grandmother, Minnie's, Alzheimer's got progressively worse. She started out asking the same questions a few different times, or forgetting simple things like phone numbers. I was very close to my grandma and visited with her often- so it was easy to see the change. She babysat with me through all of my childhood when my parents were at work. She'd lived by herself for many years in an apartment and was very independant, so when the difficult decision of placing her in a care facility had to be made, it was not taken in stride.
I visited her in the nursing home at least once a week. We would usually have the exact same conversation about 4 or 5 times in the hour or so that I stayed. She always asked if it was warm enough (or cool enough) in my house, if I had eaten, how the dogs were. She was always more concerned about her family rather than herself. She would demand that I take her last dime if I needed it. Her other biggest concern was that she made it til my wedding. On the mother's side, I was to be the first grandchild to be wed. All of the redundant talk didn't bother me- she enjoyed my company and that was all that mattered.
In January 2009, she had a few stents put in her heart. The woman was 80 and had never been on medication or had any type of surgery or medical problems aside from general aches and pains and the Alzheimer's. And she smoked like a chimney.
After the surgery she started to get worse. We found out that her kidney's were failing and we wouldn't have much time left with her. The Alzheimer's was getting worse as well, which is where the real reason of why I'm doing this fundraiser lies.
I had never dealt with Alzheimer's before, and I can say that after the experience with my grandmother, I feel it is one of the cruelest diseases. The worst part was the look of frustration on her face when she couldn't remember where she was or what we were talking about mid-conversation. It's absolutely heart-wrenching to know that she was a prisoner in her own mind. I started to avoid asking questions because I knew she wouldn't know the answer. Leaving her was always the hardest part because she thought I had just arrived.

She passed away May 1st of this year. I was at her bedside hours before she left us, and was able to say my goodbyes. I'm not sure if she heard me, but I hope she did. She made it months after her doctor said she may only have a few weeks. She made it to my wedding as well. The picture under the "About Me" section is from that day, and my favorite of her.

Shortly after, I realized that I had found a cause that I wanted to give to. I got in touch with the Alzheimer's Association branch in Dixon, IL and told them my idea and story. Picture the Cure was born. Through this campaign, we will raise money to help find a cure for this awful disease. I encourage you to follow this blog for more information on dates for the event.

Thank you.