Alzheimer's Association®

As an avid long-distance cyclist, Sam Van Why has traveled many routes in his life, but his journey with Alzheimer’s was not one he expected. A few months before losing his brother to the disease in 2016, his wife Donna’s primary care physician suspected she had Alzheimer’s. The weight of Donna’s diagnosis was heavy, which left Sam more determined than ever to make a difference for his family—hoping that his children and grandchildren wouldn’t have to face the disease again. That is when Sam found a second wind through cycling. Donna and Sam were avid outdoor enthusiasts, with a love of biking. In 2021, Sam found his true community in Ride to End ALZ, which combines his cycling hobby with his passion for the fight to end Alzheimer’s. “Biking became my key respite,” said Sam. Sam’s resolve to end this disease is stronger than ever. Not only does he raise important funds and awareness through Ride to End ALZ, he also volunteers as a support group facilitator and community educator. This June, Sam will participate in #Ride2EndALZ for his fourth consecutive year. He will ride in honor of his wife, mother, brother and sister-in-law, all whom he lost to dementia. Join Sam in the fight to end Alzheimer’s by riding with us virtually or attending one of our in-person events. 🚲 Register today at alz.org/ride. #ENDALZ

No matter your life stage, positive, everyday actions can make a difference in brain health, even lowering the risk of cognitive decline and possibly dementia. Get started with these 10 Healthy Habits for Your Brain: alz.org/healthyhabits. #NationalSeniorHealthFitnessDay

During the long Memorial Day weekend, and always, know we’re here for you if you need us. Call our free 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900.

Steven Tam first connected with the Alzheimer’s Association in 2009 when his father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. He had made the decision to leave his full-time real estate career to assist his mother with caregiving. At the time, Steven knew nothing about the disease, so he attended an education program hosted by the Association. This turned out to be a life-changing day. This initial engagement with the Alzheimer’s Association inspired Steven to pay it forward. Following his father’s passing, he began volunteering to support caregivers in his community by assisting the Association with education programs and fundraising events. After a few years of volunteering, Steven joined the staff of the Alzheimer’s Association Aloha Chapter where he spent three years before retiring. Today, Steven continues to help those facing Alzheimer’s and other dementia as a volunteer community educator. He reminds families that they are not alone in facing this disease, and they should be willing to ask for help because “people are willing to help more than you know.” We are so grateful to Steven for all he is and all he does to make a difference in the lives of others impacted by dementia. Thank you, Steven. #AAPIMonth

This year's Chicago Rita Hayworth Gala raised nearly $900,000 to benefit the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer's Association. The event was hosted by Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, daughter of legendary Rita Hayworth, alongside chairs Lori and Craig Stern. During the gala, we paid homage to Rita Hayworth's illustrious legacy and her battle with Alzheimer's disease and recognized Susan and Jim Draddy with the Philanthropy Award for being longtime champions of the Association’s mission. Thank you to all who attended and made the event a success! #ENDALZ

We are excited to share that the Alzheimer’s Association has been named the world’s first Project ECHO Superhub for Alzheimer’s and dementia care. The newly established Superhub will provide training, technical assistance and support to health systems and other organizations looking to launch ECHO-based programs to enhance person-centered, high quality dementia care. Learn more at alz.org/ECHOsuperhub. As a newly established Superhub, we will be able to extend the reach of our Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care ECHO Program, which aims to improve health outcomes while reducing geographic barriers and disparities in care for people living with dementia. This free, continuing education series connects multidisciplinary dementia care experts with health care teams in interactive, case-based video conferencing sessions. The Alzheimer’s Association ECHO Superhub is supported by Eisai and Lilly.

Join us tomorrow at 10 a.m. CT for ALZ Talks: Becoming an Empowered Caregiver. You’ll get tips on navigating the responsibilities of caring for someone living with dementia, hear personal stories, and learn about The Empowered Caregiver—a free education series from the Alzheimer’s Association. Register for this free, live event at bit.ly/4bERpeu.

Julia volunteers in her community to extend the reach of our education programs while working to reduce the stigma associated with Alzheimer’s and other dementia. Because of Julia, others feel less alone and are better equipped to face the disease. #AAPIMonth

In honor of #AAPIMonth, we'd like to recognize our outstanding Asian American and Pacific Islander staff who work every day to move our mission forward. We are so grateful for them, and for all our staff, for their passion and dedication as we work together to #ENDALZ.

It’s #WorldBakingDay and we have a sweet 🧁 story for you! “Rear Admiral (Retired) José H. Belardo III, my husband of 29 years, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s at the age of 50. I heard about The Longest Day through a Facebook post. My daughter Morgan, who was 15 at the time, loved baking and her dad loved her baked treats. I wanted to empower her to take action against the disease. I asked Morgan if she was willing to create a menu for a bake sale and then work as if she owned the bakery. She loved the idea. I then told her it would be a 12-hour bake sale. Undaunted, she formulated the plan and I purchased the ingredients. During the sale, I’d post facts about the disease every day, and end with a reminder to support our Sweet Exchange 12-hour Bake Sale The Longest Day Fundraiser. The second year, Morgan’s Girl Scout Leader told her that if she did the bake sale without my help, it could be her Gold Award Project. Morgan asked people to bring their spare change and exchange it for her baked goods. She received her Gold Award, and her dad was there to see it! This year will be our seventh year. The baked goods have become increasingly sophisticated as Morgan now has a culinary certificate and an associate degree in Baking and Pastry Arts. She will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Food and Beverage Entrepreneurship this month. And it all started with our Sweet Exchange 12-Hour Bake Sale The Longest Day Fundraiser.” - Elaine Belardo. Do you love baking and want to take action to fight Alzheimer’s? Start your fundraiser today: alz.org/TLDbaking.