Alzheimer's disease is fatal. Of the more than 5 million Americans of all ages living with Alzheimer's dementia, the majority are women. Almost two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer's are women. Of the more than 5 million people age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s in the United States, 3.6 million are women.

A woman's estimated lifetime risk of developing Alzheimer's at age 65 is 1 in 5. As real a concern as breast cancer is to women's health, women in their 60s are about twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's during the rest of their lives as they are to develop breast cancer.

Alzheimer’s disease is a growing epidemic with someone in the United States developing it every 66 seconds and is the nation’s sixth-leading cause of death. This is why Sigma Kappa is committed to putting an end to Alzheimer’s by creating a major funding stream to the national Alzheimer’s Association for research to find a cure.

Through Alzheimer’s disease and gerontology-related research grants from the Sigma Kappa Foundation, Sigma Kappa has become one of the nation’s leading private contributors to Alzheimer’s disease prevention, research and treatment efforts. Since 1989, the Sigma Kappa Foundation has granted more than $3 million in research grants including the lead gift of $1 million for the Women's Alzheimer’s Research Initiative.  The gift funds clinical research focused on women, as well as studies led by female researchers who are working to advance Alzheimer's and dementia science.

Sigma Kappa Sorority provides many opportunities for members to become involved in community service and philanthropic projects.