Written by Kyle Beckman, Marketing Communications Specialist

Alzheimer’s disease. The name alone feels devastating. It is a life-changing degenerative brain disease that nearly 6 million people live with, and it affects millions more loved ones as well.

It is more deadly than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. Of the top ten causes of death in the United States, it’s the only one that can’t be prevented, cured or even slowed.

Dot’s Fight Against Alzheimer’s Disease

It can feel like the outlook for curing Alzheimer’s is hopeless. But we can make an impact.

At Dot Foods and Dot Transportation, we believe in the power of hope for a cure.

From the beginning, our founders, Robert and Dorothy Tracy, have made giving back a core value of our trucking company’s culture and our employees work to grow that legacy every day.

“Just as charitable giving was and is part of Mom and Dad’s DNA, it is also a significant part of Dot Foods’ foundation,” says Joe Tracy, CEO of Dot Foods. “It is what we do as a company and as a family.”

Lindsey Poland, co-chair of Dot’s Alzheimer’s Awareness Committee adds, “Dot Foods founder Robert Tracy died from Alzheimer’s. Because of this, our main goals are to increase awareness, provide support and raise funds.”

Through donations and fundraising, Dot Foods and its employees raised a total of $157,439 in 2017 in the efforts to find an Alzheimer’s cure.

Reducing the Risk of Alzheimer’s

While there’s no known cause for Alzheimer’s, a healthy lifestyle is important in reducing your risk. For truck drivers, it can be especially challenging to consistently eat healthy foods and get physical activity. But keeping a healthy cholesterol level and blood pressure are factors that can help. Also, regular check-ups with your physician can help identify symptoms early on. (Check out a Dot trucker’s weight loss journey if you’re interested in learning more about staying healthy.)

As someone who has a personal connection to Alzheimer’s, I know all too well how the disease also affects those around the person diagnosed. It can be overwhelming physically, financially, and psychologically. Caregivers of people with Alzehimer’s need help and support too. I encourage you to simply ask how they’re doing — showing that you care is important.

Get involved today. YOU can make a difference.

Contact the helpline at 1-800-272-3900

You can also visit ALZ.org for additional information and resources. If you’re interested in helping the efforts in the fight against Alzheimer’s, you can Donate today.