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October 2013 

 

A Message from Jennifer Howard, Executive Director
Jennifer Howard6 Reasons Why Walk to End Alzheimer’s is Vital to our Mission
Why are we talking about Walk to End Alzheimer’s so much? Why is it so important? It’s not like there aren’t other very important things to discuss concerning Alzheimer’s disease, right? Here are a few reasons why we talk about Walk so much here at the Alzheimer’s Association and at our own Michigan Great Lakes Chapter.

1. The Alzheimer’s Association is the largest non-profit funder of Alzheimer’s research and a large portion of the funds raised from Walk fund that research. Alzheimer’s MUST end! This will only happen when scientists have the resources they need to do what they do best. Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death and the ONLY one currently without a way to cure, prevent or even slow its progression. It is also the most underfunded of these diseases.

2. Most of the local programs and services that our chapter provides are funded through the dollars that you raise through Walk, including our 24-hour Helpline, care consultation services, support groups, education programs, information and referral to other local community organizations and safety services. People with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and their family members cannot wait for a cure. They need our help and support NOW!

3. With over 650 Walks across the country, Walk is the largest awareness builder both for those who need our services and for those who want to support our cause. We cannot fulfill our mission to end Alzheimer’s and provide much-needed care and support if no one knows we are here.

4. Walks are essential for all of our public policy efforts! The Alzheimer’s Association with the partnership and support of all of you can change the course of this disease, but we cannot defeat it alone! Scientists estimate that we will need approximately $2 billion in research funding per year if we are to find a cure by the year 2025. We need the support of our legislators to help fund this research, and the only way that they will listen is by hearing YOUR voices and YOUR stories. Most of our advocates sign up with us at Walks.

5. We know that Alzheimer’s takes so much away from us - including control. Walk is how we honor those with the disease and those we have lost, fight for those who cannot fight for themselves, care about our communities and remember for those who cannot.

6. Walk in FUN! It’s a great way to connect with other people and enjoy time with our families and friends. It’s also a great time to celebrate all that we’ve accomplish so far and to celebrate a future when we can tell our children or grandchildren that there used to be a terrible disease called Alzheimer’s, but it’s no longer around!

I cannot believe how fast our Walk season has gone! So far, the Michigan Great Lakes Chapter has hosted nine local Walk to End Alzheimer’s events, and we only have two left THIS WEEKEND in Chelsea and Ann Arbor!  Here is an update on what YOU have done so far…
• 9 successful walks in St. Joseph, Brighton, Ludington, Jackson, Lenawee County, Monroe County, Muskegon, Lansing, and Kalamazoo (Portage) completed
• Over 460 teams registered so far
• Over 4,500 walkers registered so far
• Nearly $500,000 raised for Alzheimer’s research, programs and services…and we’re not finished!
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:

 

Alzheimer's Research Events in November
2013 Alzheimer's Research NightsThe Global Search for Hope
A Local Call to Action

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

Bruno GiordaniSpecial Presenter: Bruno Giordani, Ph.D.
Faculty Advisor and Professor of Psychiatry, Neurology and Psychology
Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Center 

Dr. Giordani attended the 2013 Alzheimer's Association International Conference and will be sharing information attained from 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.  800.272.2900  
  

 

Chicken Soup for the Soul:  Living With Alzheimer's & Other Dementias 
Chicken Soup for the SoulThere is still time to submit your story for Chicken Soup for the Soul
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.  Do a little BIG thing!  Participate in Walk!

green register for walk logo
  Two Walks coming up this weekend - Chelsea Area and Ann Arbor


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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

Questions? mglcwalk@alz.org | 800.272.3900  

 

Two Local Walk Teams Leading the Way This Weekend
Renae Kempf and Grandmother
For Team Captain Renae Kempf of Team Passionate About Purple, the Chelsea Area Walk is very personal.  She and her team are walking in honor of her grandmother Charlotte DeBoe.  “My grandma was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2009 when she was 71 years old,” Renae shares.  “Since I lived with my grandmother, I was the first to notice something was ‘off’.  Soon after, our family decided it was time to get things checked out.  The news was devastating at first, considering that none of us knew anything about the condition.” 



Laney Family
For Team Captain Kimberly Laney of Team Laney, the Ann Arbor Walk is very personal.  When Kimberly was only 10 years old, her mom Laura Laneywas diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s at a young age of 49 years old.  Laura lost her battle to Alzheimer’s only seven short years later.  “My mom was a teacher and later worked at my grandfather’s retail clothing store,” says Kimberly.  “She was very involved with my father, my brother and my life, and we all loved her very much.” 

 

What's your reason to walk?  Register your family today for one of our two Walks this weekend.

 

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 Position 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.

 

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. 
 
MGLC Alz Png Logo
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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