Members of the Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory have always been as dedicated to causes outside of the lab as they are in it. They have put on their walking shoes and opened their wallets for such various fundraisers as The Youth Movement Against Alzheimer’s, Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Neurotrauma 5k, and Gainesville’s Out of the Darkness Community Walk.
While all these causes are important, the Out of the Darkness Community Walk has always held a special place in the center’s heart. In past years, the CAM team for the Out of the Darkness Community Walk was spearheaded by team leader Matthew Garrepy, a member of the lab of Dr. Adam Woods. Garrepy led the team in honor and memory of friend and lab mate’s, Samantha Pedersen, brother who died by suicide in 2020.
Unfortunately, Garrepy’s journey came to an unexpected close this past April. His family remembers him as someone who “never met a stranger and had a heart for others.” The CAM center and the Woods lab would like to honor their friend and team leader by continuing with the causes that he held dear.
Even in his absence, Garrepy is still listed as the team leader for fundraising for the event which takes place this Saturday, November 4 at Westside Park. The CAM center encourages others to consider making a donation to Garrepy’s profile on his behalf to support the cause.
Donation pages and information for the event can be found below.
UF Center for Cognitive Aging & Memory fundraising team
Matthew Garrepy’s fundraising page
AFSP Gainesville Out of the Darkness Walk information