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September 2013 

 

A Message from Jennifer Howard, Executive Director
Jennifer HowardHappy September! As we say goodbye to summer, we say hello to fall and our Walk to End Alzheimer’s season! The Michigan Great Lakes Chapter is proud to host 11 Walks throughout our chapter area. If you are participating in one of our Walks, you are joining a nationwide movement to END Alzheimer’s and you stand united with about 650 Walks, 40,000 Walk teams and hundreds of thousands of participants.

Our wonderful families and volunteer committee members made our first Walk in St. Joseph a huge success raising nearly $40,000 so far! A special thank you to Lori Puckett and Heather Bier for co-chairing a great event! Thank you also to our other great Walk Chairs and Co-Chairs!

Jennifer Abner | Heather Bier | Beth Ann Choate | Jill Clouser | Kathy Coats | Todd Hanselman
Linda Leahy | Lindsay Mann | Linda Ochs | Shawn Personke | Lori Puckett | Stefanie Riggs
Lauren Smith Terry Streetman | Jana Van Buren | Marie Young | Mark Vlietstra | Carrie Wildfong

Thank you to our other volunteer committee members who work all year to pull our communities together, raise awareness, fight this disease, and advocate for more and better resources for those with Alzheimer’s and their loved ones.

I am always inspired by the dedication and selflessness of our volunteers, and the personal stories I hear from our families at Walks and throughout the Walk season keep me personally driven all year long! Please continue to share your stories with us and enjoy the stories in our monthly eNews below.

If you haven’t already signed up for Walk, there is still time! Register today!

My best,
Jennifer Howard Signature 

 

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:

 

Chicken Soup for the Soul:  Living With Alzheimer's & Other Dementias 
Chicken Soup for the SoulSubmit your story for Chicken Soup for the Soul
We are pleased to announce that the Alzheimer’s Association is working with Chicken Soup for the Soul to make a very special and important book: Chicken Soup for the Soul: Living with Alzheimer’s & Other Dementias. And we invite you to submit a story!

Living with Alzheimer’s or caring for someone with the disease is life changing. If you are facing Alzheimer’s or another dementia, you have a unique opportunity to share your story and turn your experience into inspiration for others confronting the disease. Your personal perspective as an individual living with the disease, a caregiver or an affected friend or family member will provide practical advice, encouragement, insight and support to readers. Your words will inspire and comfort others going through similar experiences and let them know that they are not alone. Submissions are due October 15. To learn more, including details on submission and guidelines for story length, please visit www.chickensoup.com.

 

2013 Walk to End Alzheimer's
Walk LogoThe Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s is a united movement to reclaim the future for millions and raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.  NOW is the time!  Do a little BIG thing!  Participate in Walk!

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  Find a 2013 Walk to End Alzheimer's near you


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Why Do We Walk?
We walk because every 68 seconds someone in America develops Alzheimer’s.
We walk to support millions of others who are battling the disease and the brave caregivers who support them.
We walk so we don’t feel alone.
We walk because there is currently no cure.
We walk because there is no prevention.
We walk because there is no way to slow down the progression of this disease.
We walk because we know awareness and research are the only ways to battle this disease.
We walk because we're in it until it’s over. 
We walk to support the Alzheimer’s Association in their fight to end this epidemic.

Tell Us Why You Walk!
This disease is personal, and there are hundreds of reasons why each of us sign up to raise awareness and funds for Walk to End Alzheimer’s. We’d LOVE to hear your story!  Please send a photo of who you’re walking for and a short paragraph (3-6 sentences) about why you’re walking to end Alzheimer’s to mglcwalk@alz.org


Join the Walk to End Alzheimer's Champion Club!
Walk to End Alzheimer’s is counting on you to lead the way! Raise $500 for the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association and you’ll join the elite ranks of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Champions Club. Learn more about club and what special benefits its members receive and start fundraising today!

Congratulations to the top 20 Chapter Walkers who have already joined the Champions Club!



Sign of SupportSign of Support
There is still time to voice your support of the Chelsea Area and Ann Arbor Walks by purchasing a sign to be displayed on the Walk route
DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 13

$100 = First Sign of Support 

$50 = Each Additional Sign of Support

Download the form

Questions? mglcwalk@alz.org | 800.272.3900  

 

Meet Three Walk Teams Leading the Way This Weekend
The team “For Betty and Bob” will be joining the movement to end Alzheimer's disease by taking part in the Walk to End Alzheimer's on September 8 at the Mill Pond Park in Brighton.

This walk is doubly personal for Cori and Jim Cann who are walking for their 86-year-old parents.  Cori’s mom Betty was diagnosed with cognitive impairment and displayed memory issues conducive to someone with Alzheimer's disease about 2 ½ years ago.  Bob was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and then diagnosed later with dementia about 8 years ago.  Cori and Jim say, “It's difficult to watch our parents forget the things that are important to us.  It's kind of a grieving process for caregivers and family.”


Team All for Alz will be joining the movement to end Alzheimer's disease by taking part in the Walk to End Alzheimer's on September 8 at Cascade Falls Park in Jackson.

Team Captain Julie Duesing is making this walk personal.  This will be her third year walking in the Jackson Walk and eighth year in Lansing.  She and her team are walking in memory of her husband's grandmother who was diagnosed with dementia when she was 89 years old and passed away five years later.  
 

Team Vander Veer will be joining the movement to end Alzheimer's disease by taking part in the Walk to End Alzheimer's on September 8 at the Waterfront Park in Ludington.

Their team is walking again this year in honor of Alice Vander Veer aka “Alice the Great” - their Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother. Alice has been living with Alzheimer’s for 9 years. After the death of her husband, the family started noticing that she just wasn't the same. It finally got to the point where it was not safe for her to live at home alone, so she moved into an assisted living facility.
 

What's your reason to walk?  Please find a walk near you and register your family today.

 

Top Walk Sponsors, Champion Teams and Media Partners
Our chapter truly appreciates the support of these top Sponsors, Champion Teams and Media Partners!

CHAPTER SPONSOR
Hospice of Michigan 400w       




CHAPTER MEDIA PARTNER
CoSozoBoomersRock 400w

DIAMOND SPONSOR  
United Methodist Retirement Communities

DIAMOND MEDIA PARTNER
The Best of Aging 100w65h

PLATINUM SPONSORS AND CHAMPION TEAMS
Cambrian Memory Care 100w65h      Consumers Credit Union 100w65h     Independence Village 100w65h     Jackson 100w65h
  Lloyd Ganton 100w65h    Mareck 100w65h      University of Michigan 250w     Woodland Terrace 100w65h

PLATINUM MEDIA PARTNERS
 
 WKHM 100w65h     WLNS 100w65h      WSYM Fox 47 100w65h

 

Open Job Positions at Michigan Great Lakes Chapter
If you are interested in joining our chapter's Walk Team, we are seeking a full-time Walk Manager to be responsible for year-round coordination and implementation of regional Walks to End Alzheimer’s. The position is located in the main office in Chelsea. Click here for a more comprehensive job description.

If you would like to join our Program Team, we are looking for a Full-Time Program Coordinator to provide caregiver support, education programs and outreach to the community. Position is located in the Kalamazoo office but services six south west counties. MSW or LMSW preferred or years of equivalent experience considered. Experience with dementia care and older adult issues preferred. Knowledge of local resources for older adults a plus. Interested applicants should email resume and letter to bbetts@alz.orgClick here for a more comprehensive job description.
 

 

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. 
 
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Michigan Great Lakes Chapter

310 N. Main St., Suite 100  |  Chelsea, MI  48118
Regional offices in Kalamazoo, Lansing and Muskegon
alz.org/mglc  |  800.272.3900
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