Wednesday evening, the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation hosted their ninth annual Great Ladies Luncheon & Fashion Show at the Ritz Carlton in Washington DC.
The luncheon was hosted by Northern Virginia raised sports anchor Lindsay Czarniak and had a special honor dedicated to TJ Oshie for his support of Alzheimer’s awareness and research.
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The @Capitals @TJOshie77 was honored by @TheADDF today for his support of Alzheimer’s awareness and research. The award is special for Oshie, who’s father Tim has Alzheimer’s #Capitals #ALLCAPS @nbcwashington @SherreeBurruss @lindsayczarniak pic.twitter.com/ol2E70sU0v
— NBC4 Sports (@NBC4Sports) May 1, 2019
Oshie accepted the award and told the attendees, “Thank you everyone for this award, it really is an honor and we’re going to get this. We’re going to cure this, but we’re going to need everyone.
“When you’re affected by it personally, you want to do whatever you can to prevent it from happening, cure it from happening, and make your family member’s life easier and more fulfilling,” Oshie said to NBC4 Sports. Oshie was referring to his father who is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Thank you, @TJOshie77, for your tireless support for #Alzheimers awareness and research. The ADDF honored him today at the #GreatLadies Luncheon in DC. #2019GreatLadies @Capitals 🏒 pic.twitter.com/T3tLBxtiQ1
— Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (@TheADDF) May 1, 2019
Fans around the NHL will remember Oshie’s emotional reaction to winning the Stanley Cup. As thrilled as Oshie was to win the Cup, it was extra special that his father was in the crowd watching. Oshie told Sportsnet, “He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and he doesn’t remember a lot of stuff, but you bet your ass he’s going to remember this one.”
“[My dad] remembers things that are really important and impactful to him,” Oshie said at the luncheon. “I talked to him a week after I got hurt and he still would ask, first thing he’d ask was how I was doing, how are my collarbones doing. If you asked him where he put his toothbrush…I don’t know, he’s kinda using that every day. But, something that impacts him and his life, he remembers things that are very important to him. He’s still there, he’s still the same old fun-loving coach that everyone knows, but when you have those moments like the Stanley Cup that are going to stick with him, those are extra special.”
Oshie’s wife, Lauren, accompanied Oshie to the event. She posted on Instagram and noted how proud she was of her husband for using his platform to fight Alzheimer’s.
The Oshie family often participates in local events that help fight Alzheimer’s. In fact, they’ve been participating in The Walk to End Alzheimer’s DC and have walked with the Alzheimer’s Association NCA chapter in honor of Oshie’s father. The family has also raised funds for the Alzheimer’s Association by participating in campaigns and hosted raffles. The next Walk to End Alzheimer’s DC will be taking place this October, be sure to donate or sign up!
Headline photo: @NBC4Sports
