Fighting Alzheimer’s in Columbus & Washington!

25 Sunday Sep 2016

Posted by Ann Napoletan in Advocacy and Awareness, Events, Ruminations, USAgainstAlzheimer's, Walk to End ALZ, Washington, World ALZ Month

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alzheimers, Alzheimers advocacy, dementia, national alzheimer summit, out of the shadows, usagainstalzheimers, Walk to End Alzheimer's

-2015 Walk

There’s a feeling of advocacy in the air! Tomorrow, I’ll don purple from head-to-toe and participate in my 8th Walk to End Alzheimer’s!! I’ve been on the planning committee for the past couple of years, so it’s exciting to be walking again. I look forward to taking everything in and connecting with the meaning, emotion, and excitement of the event. It’s looking like 81 degrees and sunshine – a perfect day!

Then, it’s on to the 3rd Annual UsAgainstAlzheimer’s National Alzheimer’s Summit in Washington. The Summit is a two-day event jam packed with panel discussions that include some of today’s most important voices in Alzheimer’s care, research, and advocacy.

First Lady Laura Bush will be the keynote speaker for the Out of the Shadows dinner where House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senator Kelly Ayotte will be honored for their commitment to fighting Alzheimer’s disease. Advocate Greg O’Brien, author of On Pluto: Inside the Mind of Alzheimer’s, will also be honored for the hope and courage he displays each day in his own battle against this disease.

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-2015 Summit

Capping off the event, we’ll spend a day on Capitol Hill meeting with Senate and Congressional offices, telling our personal stories and asking for additional funding in the FY 2017 budget as well as support of the EUREKA Act and the Alzheimer’s Beneficiary and Caregiver Support Act.

The Summit and Hill Day events are certain to be educational, energizing, and filled with hope and determination. Sharing these two days with such devoted and passionate human beings – all focused on the same goal – is truly inspiring. Be sure to look for the hashtags #StopAlzWithAction and #WeWontWait to keep up on what’s happening!

Here are a few photos from 2014 and 2015.

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World Alzheimer’s Day – Join the A List 1000!

20 Tuesday Sep 2016

Posted by Ann Napoletan in Advocacy and Awareness, Call to Action, Caregivers, Facts & Figures, Galaxy A List, Research, Support system, USAgainstAlzheimer's, World ALZ Month

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a list 1000, alzheimers, Alzheimers advocacy, alzheimers awareness, world alzheimers day, world alzheimers month

Wednesday, September 21st, is World Alzheimer’s Day. To mark the day, please consider joining the A-List 1000. It’s a quick, easy, and extremely powerful initiative led by UsAgainstAlzheimer’s. Learn more here and sign up today – for yourself and the ones you love!

World Alzheimer’s Month: Do One Thing!

06 Tuesday Sep 2016

Posted by Ann Napoletan in Advocacy and Awareness, Call to Action, Caregivers, Galaxy A List, Help Stamp Out Alzheimer's, Helpful Resources, Mom, USAgainstAlzheimer's, Washington, World ALZ Month

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alzheimers, Alzheimers advocacy, alzheimers stamp, alzheimers support, help stamp out alzheimers, world alzheimers month

Labor Day has come and gone, and we’ll soon be thinking about the holidays. This month, though, is World Alzheimer’s Month, and it’s a great time to think about that ONE THING you can do to make a difference!! You don’t have to donate thousands of dollars or invest hundreds of hours to make an impact.

Here are six things you can do right now!

Register for the A List 1000. Click here to read more, share with others who may be interested, and join today to honor your loved one and mark World Alzheimer’s Month. I joined to honor my mom, Marilyn, and it makes me feel good to know the A List will bring voice and purpose to our story. I need to know our experience wasn’t in vain.

Leave a comment on the USPS site urging issuance of an Alzheimer’s fundraising stamp. Take a few minutes and to leave a comment for the Postmaster General encouraging her to approve an Alzheimer’s fundraising stamp. The Breast Cancer semipostal stamp has raised over $81 million since its inception and we can do the same for Alzheimer’s disease! Click here to visit the site.

Join a support group. I didn’t join a support group until after my mom had died, and waiting was such a big mistake. I had no idea how much I could benefit from interacting with others who understood what I was going through. If you aren’t able to attend a local group, join an online group. I co-moderate the UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Online Support Group – it’s a safe, welcoming place where we share our experiences, seek support, and offer support to others. Although my mother has been gone for almost four years, I still find great comfort and validation in the group.

Write a letter to your representative. Our leaders have the power to increase spending on Alzheimer’s care and research. As voters, it’s up to us to let them know this issue is critical. Click here to find your senator and here to find your representative.

Share your story. Your story matters and sharing it can inspire others and let them know they aren’t alone on this journey. Talk to others about your experience or click here or here for places to share your story online. Also, please consider joining the A List 1000.

Make a donation to your favorite Alzheimer’s charity. Two of my favorites are UsAgainstAlzheimer’s and the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund. A full 100% of your donation to these organizations goes directly to the mission. The founders and board of directors, respectively, cover all overhead.