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November 2013 |
A Message to YOU from our Executive Director |
I have two beautiful daughters! You may have seen them at a local Walk - handing out water bottles, planting promise garden flowers or putting up feather banners. They have always loved volunteering. My younger daughter loves being a Junior Girl Scout, and her troop decided to work on their “Bronze Award” - a project they work on for an entire year - and they chose to raise awareness and to educate others about Alzheimer’s disease. They did this not only because of my work here, but because most of them have either lost a grandparent to Alzheimer’s or have someone in their family now with the disease. I was very proud when the troop leader presented several ideas for their project, and they chose this one.
The girls have studied the disease and brain health for months. They volunteered at two of our Walks and are planning education programs for their classes at school. Just two weeks ago, my daughter was at school talking to a good friend whose mother was in class helping out. Somehow, the project for Girl Scouts came up in conversation. The mother told my daughter, “Alzheimer’s is really sad. People lose their memories, but it’s not like they die from it or anything.” My daughter replied, “Well, actually they do. People forget other things too. Their bodies forget how to work the right way and eventually they die.” The mother firmly said to her, “You really need to do your research. People do not die from Alzheimer’s!” My daughter respectfully backed down.
I share this story because it was so timely and so moving to me. There are still so many people who believe that Alzheimer’s is a normal part of aging; that it is not fatal; that it is to be expected; and that there is nothing that we can do about it. We all have to do everything in our power to dispel these myths!
In honor of National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, I invite you to "do a little BIG thing” to help raise awareness! Here are some ideas…
• "Like" our chapter's Facebook page. Turn your Facebook page purple! Try putting some of these facts on Facebook every few days.
- Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States.
- There are over 5 million people in the United States and over 35 million in the world living with Alzheimer’s.
o Alzheimer’s disease is the nation’s most expensive disease and is increasing like no other.
- Alzheimer’s is the only leading cause of death with no way to prevent, cure or even slow the progression of the disease.
- 1 in 3 seniors die with Alzheimer’s or another dementia.
- In 2013, the direct costs of caring for those with Alzheimer's to American society will total an estimated $203 billion.
- In 2012,more than 15 million family and friends provided 17.5 billion hours of unpaid care to those with Alzheimer's and other dementias.
• Wear purple! Let people know that you are supporting those with Alzheimer’s and family caregivers.
• Invite your friends and family to an Alzheimer’s community education program… attend one of our chapter’s four regional research events in November!
• Write an opinion editorial about Alzheimer’s to a local newspaper.
• Sign up as an Alzheimer’s advocate!
The more people know the reality of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias like it, the more people will get the help they need to deal with it and the faster we will find a cure or prevention to stop it! We need to make sure everyone knows…one person at a time if necessary! Thank you for everything you do to raise awareness! For more information, please visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.
My best, |
2013 Walk to End Alzheimer's |
What a truly awesome Walk to End Alzheimer's season - thanks to our 11 dedicated committees, 5,037 amazing walkers, 477 enthusiastic teams and generous Sponsors, Champion Teams and Media Partners - who helped us raise almost $578,000!
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Top Walk Participants and Champions Club Members |
Special THANKS to our chapter's TOP PARTICIPANTS:
1. Bob Gundy |
$6,718.57 |
2. Kimberly Laney |
$6,527.00 |
3. Joan Crowhurst |
$5,905.00 |
4. Chris Maier |
$5,615.00 |
5. Robyn Heron |
$3,994.29 |
6. David Schaible |
$2,760.00 |
7. Ruthann Sterenberg |
$2,303.89 |
8. Beth Ann Choate |
$2,105.00 |
9. Diane Musk |
$2,069.00 |
10. Bruno and Anne Giordani |
$2,000.00 |
See more of our top participants online
THANKS to our chapter's CHAMPION CLUB MEMBERS:
Adam Harris, Aimee Brooks, Allen Spiess, Amy Flatland, Ann
Lipkowitz, Anna Tolis, Annabel Stein, Annie Braidwood, Bailey Baker, Barb
Hamlin, Barbara Odom, Beth Ann Choate, Beth Hagen, Bob Gundy, Brian Horman, Brittany Smith, Bruno
and Anne Giordani, Bryan Marietta, Carolyn Schmidt, Chris Maier, Christy
Mazzara, Cindy Nordlinger, Claire Hughes, Cori Cann, Cynthia Turecamo, David
Krock, David Schaible, David Downey, Debbie
Turner, Denise Moyer, Diane Musk, Diane
Wilkie, Donna Craig, Donna Lippert, Elaine Carlson, Elizabeth Gautz, Faith
Mullen, Gail Mexico, Gail Miller-McKee, Greg Brown, Harry Laughlin, Heather
Gallagher, Heather Strazzulla, Henry Paulson, Jacinda Adams, Jackie Erickson, Jackie
Loggains, Jackie Murray, Jamie Camburn, Jamie Rouster, Jana Van Buren, Janet Sottile, Janna Bouwkamp, Jay Garrick, Jenna Chmielewski,
Jennifer Abner, Jessica DeWaters, Joan Crowhurst, John Miller, Judy Birkmeier, Judy Heidebrink, Julie Duesing, Julie Williams,
Julie Ziesemer, Karen Draper, Karen Simpson, Kathi Waters, Kathryn Theisen, Kathy
Coats, Kaye Hodges, Kendall Rhode, Kevin Devine, Kim Berch, Kim McAughey, Kimberly
Laney, Kimberly Seger, Kristin Holycross, Laura O'Connor, Laura Park, Laura
Wilson, Lauren Smith, Leon White, Linda Kaare, Linda Marietta, Linda Ochs, Linda
Schultz, Lisa Lindorf, Liv Coe, Lloyd Plantier, Lori Puckett, Marcia Cudney, Margot
Staebler, Mary Olson, Mary Ann Mack, Mary
Podczervinski, Mary Raab, Mary VanderWal, Maryjane Zadonick, Megan Deaner, Michelle
Gloor, Michelle Olin, Nancy & Sam Alguire, Nancy McDonald, Nancy O'Connor, Nicole
Voss, Nikki Dodson, Nord (John) Nordlinger, Pam Cmejrek, Pamela Cantin, Pat Wieferich, Patti
Albert, Paul MacDonald, Paul Miller, Peggy Anderson, Peggy Lillywhite, Presley
Wright, Ralph Cicero, Renae Kempf, Robyn Heron, Rose Roberts, Ruth Anderson, Ruthann
Sterenberg, Sally Schaden, Seth Barnhill, Sharon Banka, Shawn Personke, Sheila
Ward, Stefanie Riggs, Stephanie Barnhill, Stephanie Humeniuk, Sue McIlvain, Susan Baker, Suzanne Monahan, Suzanne Ridge, Suzy
Corbin, Tami Hankey, Tammy Jewell, Terry Streetman, Tiffany Hudnall, Wendy
Briggs
Print your Champions Club Member Certificate
There is still time to donate to your favorite walker!
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Top Walk Teams |
Special THANKS to our chapter's TOP TEAMS:
1. Jackson in Action |
$14,310.82 |
2. Heritage Community of Kalamazoo |
$11,321.00 |
3. Team Laney |
$11,307.00 |
4. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan |
$9,300.00 |
5. U-M MADC-Prgm for Positive Aging-Geriatrics Ctr |
$9,035.66 |
6. Woodland Terrace Walkers |
$7,998.00 |
7. Ganton Retirement Centers |
$7,747.70 |
8. Lakeshore Parrot Head Club |
$7,595.00 |
9. Team GUNDY |
$6,718.57 |
10. Remembering Bud Stein |
$6,215.00 |
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Join us for a Regional Alzheimer's Research Events in November |
The Global Search for Hope | A Local Call to Action REGISTER TODAY AT 800.272.3900!
Regional Research Event Dates: November 8 l Muskegon | Muskegon Community College November 14 l Portage | The Beacon Club November 18 l Charlotte | AL!VE November 21 l Ann Arbor | Washtenaw Community College Additional program details available online
Special Presenter: Bruno Giordani, Ph.D. Associate Director and Professor of Psychiatry, Neurology and Psychology Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Center
Dr. Giordani will be sharing information attained from attending the 2013 Alzheimer's Association International Conference - the world’s largest forum revealing the latest dementia research.
* Setting the framework: Alzheimer's disease scope and background * What’s going on in the brain with Alzheimer’s, and what does that tell us about treatment and diagnosis? * How is this new information incorporated into new diagnostic criteria and research? * Alzheimer’s Association International Conference highlights (alz.org/aaic) - New therapeutics and approaches to clinical trials - New information on risk factors - Early detection approaches - New political strategies in the coming year
Advance registration is required. Seating is limited. 800.272.2900 |
Education, Support and Online Resources |
Community Education Programs: Locate an education program in your community or call us at 800.272.3900 if you are interested in bringing one of our programs to your community, senior center, office, church, chamber of commerce, etc.
Caregiver Support Groups: Locate a support group in your community to get support from others who understand what you are going through
Online Resources:
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New Staff at Michigan Great Lakes Chapter |
Prior to working for our chapter, Erica Outhwaite worked for a memory loss facility in the Alzheimer’s and dementia unit as a Medical Assistant - working directly with Alzheimer’s patients for seven years. She personally and professionally got to know family members that had been affected by the disease. After many years of working with patients and her own family experience, she wanted to make a greater impact in helping families who live with Alzheimer’s, so she joined our chapter as an Operations Associate five years ago.
Erica is now thrilled to be receiving a promotion to Walk Manager, and she plans to use her knowledge and experience to move the Walk to End Alzheimer’s to the next level. Congratulations Erica!
We are excited to be back-filling the Operations Associate position with Alice Tanner! Alice has already been working with the Operations and Development Teams by entering Walk registrations and donations, and she will now be primarily responsible for processing, tracking and recording all donor contributions.
Alice is married and has three grown daughters. She worked for the Grass Lake Schools in the library for 17 years. Welcome Alice!
We are pleased to announce the addition of Erin Van Groningen as the new South West Region Program Coordinator. Erin earned her MSW at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, and she did her most recent internship with our friends at the Area Agency on Aging.
She is very excited to ‘join such an awesome team’, and we all look forward to getting to know her better and watching her take the region by storm! Erin will assume responsibility for all education programming, support group oversight and crisis/clinical work for Kalamazoo and five surrounding counties.
Erin is newly married and lives with her husband in Grand Rapids. Welcome aboard Erin! |
Michigan Income Tax Checkoff |
Tax Form 4642
Michigan taxpayers have an opportunity to quickly and easily “checkoff” their support for the Alzheimer’s Association vision of a world without Alzheimer’s.
- When preparing your 2013 Michigan income taxes, complete Tax Form 4642 - 2013 Michigan Voluntary Contributions Schedule.
- Donate $5, $10 or more directly from your Michigan income tax return to the Alzheimer’s Association.
- If you are receiving a refund, this donation will be taken directly from your refund.
- If you are not receiving a refund, this donation will increase your tax due.
"Like" our Tax Checkoff Facebook page and invite your friends and family
Questions? micheckoff@alz.org
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Take Advocacy Action Michigan! |
Are you interested in hearing public policy and advocacy news related to Lansing, Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo, Muskegon and beyond? If so, the Michigan Alzheimer’s Association is launching a monthly Take Action Michigan! Advocacy eNews. This eNews will provide updates about state policies related to Alzheimer’s and dementia and opportunities to take action in your community.
Subscribe today to the Take Action Michigan! Advocacy eNews
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Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's |
The Alzheimer's Association is the world's leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.
Michigan Great Lakes Chapter 310 N. Main St., Suite 100 | Chelsea, MI 48118
Regional offices in Kalamazoo, Lansing and Muskegon
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