For my birthday, I combined shopping and charity — the perfect mix! I got my outfit from my favorite place to shop for special occasions. House of CB is my one-stop shop for amazing, quality pieces, and when they opened their first location in the States just a few months after I moved to Los Angeles, I considered it a godsend. I mean, this place is literally special-occasion heaven! I wear their pieces to weddings, birthday celebrations, and red carpet events.

In all seriousness, I chose this elegant outfit in lilac because I wanted to dedicate my birthday to Alzheimer’s awareness. I “went purple” to announce that I decided to captain my very own team at the official Walk to End Alzheimer’s event in Los Angeles. I feel honored to take part in a cause that I have such a personal connection to, and I am truly looking forward to supporting people’s efforts to find a cure. I lost my great-grandmother to Alzheimer’s, and have other family members who’ve struggled with dementia-related issues, so I know from experience that this disease is excruciatingly difficult. In my family, the whole subject of Alzheimer’s and dementia is a very sensitive subject and oftentimes, the necessary discussions get pushed under the rug. Facing the disease in the eye and confronting the issue is extremely difficult not only for the person living with it, but also for their caretakers, and their families. The longer it’s prolonged, the more devastating the results, in my opinion. And since Alzheimer’s is hereditary, and my own memory is far from the greatest, it really scares me to think that one day I might fall victim to Alzheimer’s and lose my most precious memories! I know I’m not the only person who feels this way.

I want to do my part, and use my platform to bring awareness to the disease. By encouraging others to join the fight against ALZ, I hope to build traction and help find a cure in the very near future. Currently, more than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s, and that number is expected to rise to 16 million by 2050. This disease is a very real threat — in fact, 1 in 3 seniors die with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.

Readers, I would love for you and your loved ones to join me on Saturday, November 12, at LA Live to walk for Alzheimer’s. If you can’t attend the walk, I encourage you to make a tax-deductible donation at any time to the Alzheimer’s Association on behalf of my team, TBM Walk to Remember. For more information on how to join my team or how to donate, please go to my official LA Alzheimer’s Association Walk website. I also provide details on the disease and general info on the event day. There are so many great resources available online, so please feel free to conduct research of your own as well.

I appreciate your support of something I feel so deeply about. Even just starting the conversation and spreading the word brings us one step closer to finding a cure! I know that together, we can make a difference and help people hold onto their memories for just a while longer!