Let’s be honest: When people go through a breakup, many of them don’t keep in touch with their former significant other’s loved ones.
But not Brandon Holland.
The 37-year-old Tampa Bay local is raising money and awareness to help end Alzheimer’s for his ex-girlfriend’s mother, who is now in the late stages of the disease, by bringing the second annual Memory Mixer to Tampa. Planned for International Plaza’s The Pub at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, the fundraiser encourages guests to don purple while enjoying happy-hour pricing on drinks, appetizers, a silent auction and some tune spinage from DJ Morgan Elder.
Started in Minnesota six years ago, Memory Mixer benefits the Tampa edition of the Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The next stroll takes place in November at Amalie Arena.
According to a statement from Holland, watching his ex’s mom progress through Alzheimer’s drives him to keep raising money to fund research in the fight against the disease. His goal is to reach $50,000 within the next five years.
“A year after moving to Florida, I went back to Minnesota to visit,” said Holland, who began his fundraising efforts in 2010. “I saw her and for almost 10 seconds, she remembered me. It was one of the most impactful moments of my life.”
Memory Mixer admission — which costs $50 in advance and $60 at doors — includes two drink tickets and two raffle tickets.
“I do this because I’ve seen so many people affected by this disease and I don’t wish this on anyone,” Holland said. “Some people think this is ‘just an old person’s disease’, but it’s not, it affects everyone in the family. The only way to stop it is through raising money for research.”
