QUASH pushes teams to squash Alzheimer's

The University of Northern Iowa's Alzheimer's Awareness group, UNI Advocates for Alzheimer's, will be hosting its first fundraising event called QUASH April 24.

QUASH stands for Quest to Unravel Alzheimer's Scavenger Hunt. The group hopes to bring people together for a day of fun and raise money and awareness for Alzheimer's disease and its need for research.

Laura McNally, a sophomore psychology major, is involved with the group and QUASH. She has always been involved with Alzheimer's research because her mother is the head of the Dubuque chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

"I've seen the devastating effects it has on the victims and their families," she said. "It terrifies me to know that I will have to encounter this disease in the future, because it is so prevalent. Just in America alone, 5.3 million people are affected every year, and every 70 seconds someone new is diagnosed."

"Unfortunately, by the time our generation reaches middle age, that number will skyrocket to every 33 seconds, which is a scary thing to think about," she added. "We're hoping that if we spread the awareness and raise the funds, that we will be the generation that sees the cure."

UNI Advocates for Alzheimer's is hoping to make QUASH their main event of the year. They are shooting for 75 teams to sign up for QUASH, with each group member required to raise at least 100 dollars.

"The hunt is a test of our bodies and minds, much like Alzheimer's disease," McNally said. "Teams of two to four people will race all over campus and the (College) Hill, answering questions and trivia about different places and … taking part in all sorts of challenges. If I were to compare it to anything, I think it would be like the Amazing Race but minus the cameras."

The group has promoted QUASH in a variety of ways. They've gained the support from the university community, local businesses and even the radio station, Q92.3.

Ryan Mulgrew, the mission's co-chairperson and a sophomore social work major, sits on the executive board of UNI Advocates for Alzheimer's.

"While everyone is trying to get people to sign up for QUASH or donate, (I assure) the mission is not forgotten that when people go and talk to classes or groups, they make sure to bring up why it is so important to find a cure for this horrible disease and to provide them with the most current events involving Alzheimer's Disease," Mulgrew said.

Mulgrew has a personal tie to the disease. Seven years ago, his grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. Soon after, he began involvement to pursue research and fundraise. His grandmother eventually passed away from the disease, pushing him to continue the fight.

"We are the first campus to put on the event of such a large scale," McNally said. "The University of Iowa did it last year and it didn't go over as well as they had planned. So we're hoping to blow them out of the water, and we're already off to an awesome start."

To learn more about QUASH and register to participate, visit the QUASH Web site at alz.org/quashnow.