Nicole Pazdan and Jennifer Lopes have been friends for many years but remain rivals for the third annual Blondes vs. Brunettes flag football game to increase awareness and funding for the Alzheimer’s Association. The blonde and brunette team captains kick off an exciting season at the draft party, which will be held at Figueroa Mountain in Arroyo Grande on Thursday, March 30 from 4 to 6 p.m. Friends, family and fans are invited to meet the players and coaches and enjoy food, beer and raffle prizes.
Born and raised in San Francisco, Nicole founded Elder Placement Professionals in SLO after having a very difficult experience finding a family member an assisted living care facility. She took a lot from this overwhelming emotional experience and dedicated her work to helping families in her community in similar situations.
“Eighty percent of my clients have Alzheimer’s, and I see on a daily basis what an emotional, physical and financial drain it is on families,” Nicole, a Certified Senior Advisor, said. “Not a week goes by when an adult child or spouse I am working with doesn’t get teary eyed from the strain of trying to deal with a family member who has Alzheimer’s. It hurts my heart to see what these families go though and it’s my dream to sec a cure for Alzheimer’s in my lifetime.”
A Walk to End Alzheimer’s team captain for the last thirteen years, Nicole is excited to tackle Alzheimer’s in a new way at the inaugural Blondes vs. Brunettes game. In addition to the “the camaraderie and of course beating the brunettes” that the Team Blonde captain looks forward to, she also sees the significant impact the fundraiser will have on a younger generation, including her four sons.
“It’s important for them to know there are five million affected by Alzheimer’s. It’s not just disease that affects older people; it will impact their generation. Their abi1ity to be so connected with social media can certainly help raise awareness. Hopefully, as their mom, I have set an example through my fundraising and involvement ·with Alzheimer’s that fighting for a cure is important.”
Jennifer is from the Central Valley and has had personal experiences with Alzheimer’s disease. This inspired her to open Graceful Living in Arroyo Grande.
“When my grandmother had been diagnosed I got involved with her care and worked in a facility in the Central Valley. Professionally it became a passion to care for people and the love of my work grew stronger. When my husband and I decided to relocate to the Central Coast, I had the opportunity to open my own facilities. Graceful Living is in honor of my grandma.”
Jennifer works with dementia and Alzheimer’s patients and would love have a world without Alzheimer’s disease. She appreciates the wave of awareness on the Central Coast that comes ·with events like Blondes vs. Brunettes. Jennifer loves to talk and meet new people and is excited to compete in the game. Like Nicole, Jennifer hopes that the next generation will be inspired to take on the issue of Alzheimer’s.
“My two kids are very involved ·with the care-homes, and all of their friends come and help with crafts and events. The events put on by the Alzheimer’s Association are a great opportunity for young people to become aware.”
Nicole and Jenifer both describe themselves as “very competitive.” Regardless of the final score, their fundraising efforts are making an end-run. This year Blondes vs. Brunettes San Luis Obispo hopes to raise $30,000 locally with each player committing to raise a minimum of $500.
Game day is set for Saturday, May 20, 2017 at Santa Rosa Park. Tickets are $20 by donation. Registration is still open for new players, coaches, and volunteers on the Blondes vs. Brunettes San Luis Obispo website at act.alz.org/SLOBVB. For more information, please visit alz.org/cacentral or call 800.272.3900.
About the Alzheimer’s Association
The Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is 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. The California Central Chapter provides services in Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Luis Obispo and Kern counties. We are located at 1528 Chapala Street, Suite 204, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. Visit alz.org/cacentral or call 800.272.3900.
About Blondes vs. Brunettes
A volunteer event driven by young women, the first Blondes vs. Brunettes game was held in Washington D.C. in 2005. Since its inception, Blondes vs. Brunettes has expanded to more than 50 cities, including San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Bakersfield, Boston, Buffalo, Denver, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Minneapolis-St. Paul and New York. Together, Blondes vs. Brunettes have raised more than $9 million in an effort to tackle Alzheimer’s disease. In 2015 the inaugural Blondes vs. Brunettes San Luis Obispo raised more than $20,000.