J.R. Tucker's Beran honors grandfather with annual Alzheimer's charity

HENRICO, VA (WWBT) - Annemarie Beran knows all too well what Alzheimer's Disease is capable of doing to a person. In August of 2013, the J.R. Tucker junior lost her grandfather to the condition, and now she continues to honor him by heading up an annual event at her high school.

For the third straight year, Beran, a basketball player for the Tigers' varsity team, is organizing a "We Back Pat" night, named for legendary Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summit, who also battles Alzheimer's. During Tucker's game against Douglas Freeman on Friday night, both teams will wear special We Back Pat shirts during warm-ups. A silent auction will be held and shirts will be for sale, with all proceeds going to research and awareness of the disease.

Annemarie says her grandfather always told her to find something she was passionate about and make a difference, and that's what she's doing with this program.

In the first two years of the program, Annemarie has spear-headed the raising of approximately $9,400.

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