On Nov. 20, ATMOSS and the Comedy Club sponsored an open mic night called W’s for Walter in the Student Center. The event was to honor Guadalupe Dragons’ father, Walter Dragon, who was diagnosed with Dementia in June 2019 after having a stroke.

Dragon is a sophomore student majoring in public relations who wants to raise more awareness for Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia.

“The reason for this event is that I wanted to help other families who are struggling with financial support of being a caretaker for an individual,” Dragon said. “My motive was to help other families who are going through a similar situation that are afraid to ask for the help and that really need the help.”

Dragon continued, “I want to spread the word around and talk about how difficult it is, and how you can overcome that barrier for you to be there for your family member, because it’s not about you anymore. It’s about them.”

Many comedians and musicians came out to perform and support the cause, including Dragon herself, who says music is a good outlet for herself and others.

Donations were requested to help raise money to support Seth Rogan’s charity “Hilarity for Charity” either in person, at the door, at the bake sale they hosted at the event or online, which is still always accepting donations.

The money that was collected could go a long way in helping support families and individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. As little as twenty-five dollars provides a family with one hour of respite from their caregiving duties. Fifty dollars helps fund ways for young people to fight against Alzheimer’s disease. One hundred dollars supports eight individuals with one online support group session. Lastly, five hundred dollars funds twenty hours of in-home professional care.

With the love and support of the cause and event, Dragon managed to raise and donate roughly over six hundred dollars.

“Hilarity for Charity” is a national nonprofit organization founded by actor and comedian Seth Rogen and his wife Lauren Rogen.

While Dragon took a more musical approach to show awareness, Rogen took a comedic approach, launching a stand-up comedy special “Hilarity for Charity” that premiered on Netflix April 6, 2018, to help raise awareness for Alzheimer’s disease.

Overall, the foundation wants to help raise awareness, inspire change, and educate more people about those facing this disease.