When Allen Kampf and Pamela Gilmour step to the starting line of the CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Half Marathon in Baltimore on Oct. 11, they’ll be running for a lot more than a personal best.
Kampf, 58, of Ellicott City, and Gilmour, 54, of Phoenix, are training for the 13.1-mile race with their mothers on their minds and in their hearts.
They’ve both seen their mothers recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. They’re running to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association and spread the word about the progressive and fatal brain disease.
“It’s really a crippling disease,” Kampf said. “I’m on a mission to make people aware that this is something you need to pay serious attention to.”
Kampf first got involved with the Alzheimer’s Association’s Greater Maryland Chapter and its ambassador program when his mother was diagnosed, speaking about the disease in public and educating audiences about its effects. Gilmour, a co-worker of Kampf’s at Wealth Advocacy Partners in Sparks, joined Kampf’s crusade this year.
As many as 5 million Americans are living with the disease, which destroys brain cells and causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Alzheimer’s is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States.
The co-workers are part of a team of runners with the Alzheimer’s Association’s Maryland Chapter, which has raised more than $36,000. Gilmour and Kampf are the team’s top fundraisers. Kampf had raised $3,180, while Gilmour has raised $7,100.
Kampf and Gilmour have also relayed their knowledge to Wealth Advocacy Partners clients they assist with estate and retirement planning.
“We’ve learned that it’s important to prepare for life events like this,” Kampf said.
The CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Half Marathon is part of the Baltimore Running Festival. Both Kampf and Gilmour are previous marathoners and are running about 30 miles per week to prepare for the race.
“Thinking about my mother is going to keep me going,” Gilmour said. “It’ll be very emotional when I cross the finish line.”
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