Alzheimer’s disease is one of the highest ranked causes of death in the US and currently has no cure. Alzheimer’s affects the brain - specifically memory loss, thinking, and behavior. We at Climb For Memory advocate a lifestyle that promotes brain health as an integral part of overall health. A healthy brain can be maintained with the right diet, frequent exercise, and most importantly, regular mental stimulation (memorization, doing crossword puzzles, learning a new skill). Many studies have show that this kind of lifestyle can delay and even prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
Climb For Memory is a non-profit organization geared towards raising awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s disease research by organizing mountain climbs around the world. We believe that more people should know about the disease, therefore raising awareness is our number one goal. By bringing our cause to some of the most rugged regions in the world, namely high-altitude peaks, we create an attractive and interesting way of spreading the word.
Nelson Dellis, Founder & CEO
Nelson Dellis climbs mountains to help raise awareness for Alzheimer's disease. He is also the the current and 4x USA Memory Champion and holds multiple US memory records.
His journey began shortly after his grandmother suddenly passed away in the summer of 2009, who had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease for many years prior. Seeing first-hand the deterioration of her mind was heartbreaking and scary. As a result, ever since late 2009, he has developed a passion for memory training and has noticeably improved his memory. He trains his memory daily and competes in memory competitions around the world. Why? Because he wants to keep his memory and mind active, in tune, and fully under his control. Nelson believes that keeping the mind fit and “exercising” the brain daily, can keep the mind sharp and delay, or even prevent, Alzheimer’s disease. As a result of this mindset (and his passion for mountain climbing), he founded Climb For Memory in early 2010.
why donate to us?
We believe that raising awareness is the key to ending Alzheimer's disease. Our approach is to create awareness-building events that are different, fascinating, and most of all, inspiring. We are the only charity bringing Alzheimer's awareness to the top of the world (literally). By making a donation, you are helping increase awareness. Increasing awareness does two things:
- It makes people more aware of their own brain health and inspires them to change their own lifestyles into a more positive, Alzheimer's-preventing direction.
- It increases the amount of funds donated which in turn, goes towards Alzheimer's disease.
WHERE DO YOUR DONATIONS GO?
Specifically, 95% of funds raised go towards Alzheimer's, 5% go towards administrative costs for Climb For Memory to stay functioning (this is kept to an absolute minimum). Please be aware that NO funds raised through donations go towards funding any of our climbs.
More specifically, funds raised through Climb For Memory are given to different, larger, action-taking organizations doing good for Alzheimer's, in each their own different ways:
Cure Alzheimer's Fund is a non-profit organization dedicated to funding research with the highest probability of preventing, slowing or reversing Alzheimer's disease through venture-based philanthropy. Since its founding, Cure Alzheimer’s Fund has contributed more than $34,000,000 to research, and its funded initiatives have been responsible for several key breakthroughs.
The Alzheimer's Association, is a non-profit American voluntary health organization which focuses on care, support and research for Alzheimer's disease. They provide caregivers and families with comprehensive online resources and work on a global, national and local level to enhance care and support for all those affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
Climb For Memory, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity. All donations made are tax-deductible.