From Rich Silvers:

Lewy Body Dementia

As I was writing Don’t Remember, a close family member had passed away after a devastating battle with dementia. I did some research on degenerative dementia and discovered that along with the most common form, Alzheimer’s, which affects short-term memory, the second most common is Lewy body dementia (LBD). Patients with LBD can experience tremors, hallucinations, and problems with planning, decision-making, and organization.

LBD is the result of abnormal protein deposits in the brain called Lewy bodies, which can occur at a younger age than Alzheimer’s. It was that fact that stuck with me and in developing the plot of Don’t Remember, I took the opportunity to make others aware of this terrible disease and how it can affect one’s life.

LBD affects an estimated 1.4 million individuals and their families in the United States alone, but since its symptoms can closely resemble those of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, it’s often missed or misdiagnosed. The medications used to treat Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s don’t always work on LBD sufferers, and though early treatment can greatly affect quality of life, the symptoms can take years to manifest, so research is desperately needed.

Here’s how we can help:

• Learn about the symptoms of LBD here.
• October is Lewy Body Dementia Awareness Month. Share the Lewy Body Dementia Association’s logo on social media to show your support.
• If you know someone who has or cares for someone who has Lewy Body Dementia, consider participating in clinical trials. The right meds can make a huge difference.
• Host a 5K run/walk to raise money – the LBDA will provide all the materials to get you started.

10% of the profits from Don’t Remember will be donated to the Lewy Body Dementia Association to promote research and awareness.

Missing Children

Have You Seen Her? started with a postcard. I was having a challenging day writing, and I decided to take a break and get the mail. There was a postcard there, with a missing girl and the question: Have You Seen Me? The girl looked familiar to me. I started to wonder, “What would it take for someone to drop everything else in their life and search for the girl on a postcard like this?” That question led me to create Jack Logan and the tragic circumstances he’s in at the beginning of the book. The novel grew organically from there.

According to Child Find of America, 2,300 children are reported missing in America every day. Whether they are runaways, victims of family abductions or stereotypical kidnappings, they leave behind frantic parents, devastated friends, and frightened communities.

What can we do to reduce this number?

• If you’re a kid thinking about running away, or an adult who wants to know how to help runaways, call 1-800-RUNAWAY.
• Prepare our children. Read Child Find’s “10 Ways to Protect Your Child.”
• Get involved. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has a list of ways that you can help.
• Know what to do when there is an AMBER alert in your state.

10% of the profits from Have You Seen Her? will be donated to organizations like Child Find of America, that are focused on finding missing children.

Donated To Date: $350