GREEN BAY, Wis. – The most common cause of dementia, Alzheimer's accounts for 60-80 percent of dementia cases. While the disease has two treatments that can help reduce cognitive decline for people battling Alzheimer's, it worsens over time and currently has no cure.

Rhonda Sutherland, the mother of Green Bay volleyball head coach Abbey Sutherland, was a physical education teacher and health instructor at St. Joseph's Parish School in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin. In 2013, she was diagnosed with early-onset (or younger-onset) Alzheimer's, which is what the disease is termed for a person under 65. At age 56, Rhonda retired, and Abbey relocated to Wisconsin to be closer to family after spending time as a volleyball coach at Southern Miss. Rhonda's husband, Rob, along with Abbey and her brother Robbie, remained at Rhonda's side, serving as a dedicated family care team.

In December 2022, after a hard-fought battle with Alzheimer's, Rhonda passed away. The community rallied around the Sutherlands, setting up meal trains and sending letters of support.

To read Rhonda's full story, visit the Alzheimer's Association website.

One year after Abbey took the head coaching position at UW-Stevens Point, she started the annual Attacking Alzheimer's match to benefit the Alzheimer's Association. Since 2014, except for the 2020 season (COVID-19), the Attacking Alzheimer's match has been crucial in raising funds to fight the disease. Last season, Green Bay held the annual fundraiser on September 23 against Robert Morris and raised over $8,000. In total, the Phoenix has raised over $20,000 in the past two years.

This fall, the Phoenix will host the ninth annual Attacking Alzheimer's match at the Kress Center on October 27, 2023.

To join the fight against Alzheimer's and learn more about the disease, click here.

###

For the latest and most up-to-date information on Green Bay Athletics and Green Bay Volleyball, please visit GreenBayPhoenix.com.

Follow us on Twitter: @GBPhoenix and @GBPhoenixVB.

Follow us on Instagram: @GBPhoenix and @GBPhoenixVB.

Like Green Bay Phoenix Athletics and Green Bay Phoenix Volleyball on Facebook.

If you would like to receive Green Bay Volleyball news via email, please fill out this form.

---GreenBayPhoenix.com---