Magdalene Thrower has always cared for others. “My children, then my parents – and then my husband and my son-in-law. I believe I’m still here because someone needs me.”

Maggie’s daughter Susan Layman agrees, “She never forgets anyone.” And she’s never forgotten Memory & Movement Charlotte.

Every December since 2016, Maggie has sent a gift of $25 to MMC. She sends a handwritten check, sometimes with a little note.

“MMC was there for us when Susan’s husband Randy was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. I brought him to appointments while Susan was working, and he was always calm in the clinic. Everyone knew his name, it was familiar and comfortable. I learned a lot from Randy, and from everyone at MMC. It does a lot of good for me to continue to help other MMC patients, and I’ve just made this donation an annual habit.”

Susan recalls finding MMC. “When Randy was diagnosed at 58 years old, I didn’t know where to turn. We were seeing another neurologist and Randy was very anxious. It wasn’t a good fit. And then I learned about MMC from someone in a support group, and this approach just worked. The doctor talked to him like a friend, they chatted about sports and family, and Randy didn’t even notice an assessment.”

Maggie recalls, “The diagnosis was hard for him to accept after living a healthy life. But he never forgot how to have fun, and he never stopped learning. I wish every patient and family would recognize what they can still do – that’s what we learned at MMC. We never stopped dancing, eating ice cream, singing and painting.”

“I’m still giving after all these years for two reasons – I give in memory of Randy, but I also give for the future, to help other families receive the kind of care we were so lucky to find.”