Alzheimer’s Assoc.

Walking to end Alzheimer's

By Erica Rascón on Jun 22, 2016 in Giving, People

For Mitchel Sloan, the effects of Alzheimer’s disease hits close to home. Currently the Vice President of Development and Communications with the Alzheimer’s Association California Central Chapter, Sloan began as a young man who watched his uncle battle vascular dementia.

Rather than feeling defeated by the disease, Sloan felt empowered to help. He encouraged his aunt to make use of local resources. “I immediately referred my aunt to the local Alzheimer’s office in their area. I informed her that she is not alone and that our professional care specialists can assist her and our family with the help that she and my uncle need as they embark on this journey.”

The first step in anyone’s journey is to understand the disease. Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability that is severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia. It accounts for about 60 to 80 percent of cases.

Since 2012, Sloan and the organization have tirelessly worked to fulfill the vision of a world without Alzheimer’s. By connecting researchers to funding, Sloan and his team hope to eradicate Alzheimer’s through treatment and prevention.

The organization faces formidable odds. Every 66 seconds, someone in the U.S. develops Alzheimer’s disease. Dementias are the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. with one in three seniors dying of the disease every year.

Since 1982, the Alzheimer’s Association has invested more than $350 million in funds for research. In fiscal year 2015, individuals, families, companies, and communities across the nation contributed total revenues of $321 million to support the mission. Creative fundraising efforts have sparked community awareness and involvement in their cause.

The most popular event is the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s. It is currently the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. There are more than 600 community activities nationwide.

“My favorite event is the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Each year, I organize a fundraising team with my son’s elementary school. It brings a lot of joy witnessing third and fourth graders walking to fight Alzheimer’s,” says Sloan.

“The Promise Garden ceremony is the most emotional yet hopeful moment at our Walk. Every participant receives a pinwheel flower with the color signifying their personal connection to Alzheimer’s disease. During the ceremony, everyone raises their flower up. At that moment, you realize that we’re all in this together and with that brings a lot of hope as we work towards ending this disease.”

One of the newest fundraisers is RivALZ Blondes vs. Brunettes. In this event, young professionals compete in a friendly but fierce game of flag football. The two teams are divided based on the age-old rivalry between blondes and brunettes.

Yardi sponsors the organization’s vital and free Family Services Program for Alzheimer family caregivers. This critical program provides ongoing training, support and education for families caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease.

“The crisis of Alzheimer’s is a big challenge and we are very grateful for the tremendous support that Yardi has provided to ensure our free and comprehensive services are available to our community’s families so that they can competently and confidently care for a family member with dementia,” says Sloan.

To learn more about how you can support the Alzheimer’s Association, explore the TrialMatch program, which unites individuals with Alzheimer’s to caregivers, healthy volunteers and physicians.

For additional volunteer opportunities, visit actionalz.org.