“This one’s for Pat” was the cheer as the Denver Broncos won Super Bowl 50, and it’s on the team’s huge championship rings.

Pat is Broncos owner Pat Bowlen.

Now, when his daughter, Beth Bowlen Wallace, director of special projects for the Broncos, says, “This one’s for Pat,” it’s with tears in her eyes. This “one” is for her father’s fight with Alzheimer’s and the road his family walks with him. It’s why they volunteer and share their story to raise money for research.

After several years of noticeable diminishing memory, Pat Bowlen gave up control of his beloved Broncos in 2014, admitting publicly he had Alzheimer’s. His public appearances are rare.

Speaking to more than 300 Alzheimer’s Association “Reason to Hope” luncheon attendees on May 24 at The Antlers hotel, Wallace said the timing of her visit was particularly poignant because just the weekend before she had received her law degree from the University of Denver. Her father has his law degree and had encouraged her over the years as well. She celebrated with her mother, who brought graduation leis from her home in Hawaii, her husband, John, and their blended family of five. However, this milestone she shares in common with her father couldn’t be shared with him. “I do so wish my dad had been able to be there.”

Wallace told an understanding audience, “My story is your story and your story is my story.”

As many as 5 million in the U.S. have Alzheimer’s and an estimated 15 million are their caregivers. “We seek to protect the dignity of that person with Alzheimer’s,” Wallace said. “It doesn’t just take the memory, it takes the communication.” So far there is no cure.

Luncheon table captains had encouraged attendees to bring photos of family members with Alzheimer’s to put in the center of the tables. Money raised that day will help fund Alzheimer’s Association services and research, 266-8773, 800-272-3900, alz.org.

Monday is Alzheimer’s official purple “Longest Day” nationwide, act.alz.org. The nationwide 2016 Walk to End Alzheimer’s is in September; locally a 3-mile walk will be on Sept. 17 at America the Beautiful Park.