BUFFALO — Bruises, callouses, sprains and strains — playing football takes a physical toll. But the women who train all summer to play flag football know those hurts will heal. The pain they’ve felt by losing someone they love to Alzheimer’s disease is a much deeper wound.
“This disease has brought pain to my family and I want to spare others that same sorrow,” says Laurie Ziolkowski, co-captain of the Blondes vs. Brunettes Tackling Alzheimer’s program. Laurie shares leadership with Laura Franklin, who says “I am proud to do what I can to help rid the world of this terrible disease”.
The Blondes vs. Brunettes flag football game has been an annual event in Western New York since 2009, raising more than $200,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association WNY Chapter. This unique and all-volunteer athletic program pits blonde women against brunette women in a very competitive game of flag football.
In the months leading up to game day — Sunday — the women secure sponsorships and donations to help the Chapter with its mission to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.
Tickets for the 2 p.m. game at Nichols School are available online at BvBBuffalo.com or by calling 1-800-272-3900.
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