Will Howard

Hello, my name is Will Howard. I am currently a sophomore at Western Kentucky University majoring in Nursing. I am from Bowling Green Kentucky and have been a Hilltopper for as long as I can remember. I hope to finish out my next two years in school and pursue my dream of becoming a Pediatric Oncology Nurse. 

Bike4alz was first brought to my attention when my older brother (Jacob) completed the trip in the summer of 2019. Growing up I always tried to one-up him or out-do him in everything I possibly could so I saw this as another opportunity to do so. 

Our family has directly been affected by Alzheimer’s Disease as our Great Grandfather, Ernie Sippola, was diagnosed with the disease. Shortly after his diagnosis he passed away. Neither me nor Jacob ever got the chance to meet him but we have grown up seeing the impact that his death and the disease has had on our grandmother, Janis Strode. She constantly reminds us of the man that he was before Alzheimer’s and how drastically it changed him. She describes how a large portion of his life and personality was robbed of him in the last few years he was on earth. 

As I embark on this 10 week long journey, I ask for your thoughts and prayers for me and my fellow riders/friends as we will be doing something very uncomfortable and unfamiliar to us. I am beyond blessed and thankful to have had this opportunity and chance to spread awareness of this terrible disease and hopefully raise some money along the way to help #EndAlz!!!