The Alzheimer’s Association strives to advance research, advocate for the needs and rights of those facing Alzheimer’s, and provide essential care and support programs, but there’s still so much to be done. We need your help.
As a thank you for your support, you’ll receive this special 5″ x 7″ journal. “Journaling” is a wonderful way to preserve memories for years to come, and this journal is a thoughtful gift.
Enjoy this journal as our thanks for your generosity.

Alzheimer’s disease is the ultimate thief, stealing the memories of at least 44 million people worldwide currently living with dementia.
With your support, the Alzheimer’s Association can continue our important work to accelerate research toward treatment, prevention and, ultimately, a cure. Help us make a difference in the lives of those who are impacted by Alzheimer’s and receive a special gift.
Please give as generously as you can.
Many thanks,

Donna McCullough
Vice President

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Time is running out to join Marshalls in the fight against Alzheimer’s!

For the second consecutive year, Marshalls stores nationwide are getting involved in the fight to end Alzheimer’s. Shoppers who visit a Marshalls store between March 2-15*, can donate to the Alzheimer’s Association® at checkout; in doing so, they will help support our vision of a world without Alzheimer’s disease.
Since 2011, The TJX Companies, Inc. — the parent company of Marshalls, TJ Maxx, HomeGoods and Sierra Trading Post in the U.S. — has been active in the fight to end Alzheimer’s. In 2013, the organization made a second multi-year pledge of $1 million in recognition of the massive impact of Alzheimer’s disease worldwide. As part of the pledge, TJX also became a Presenting Sponsor of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s® Promise Garden, which serves as the emotional centerpiece of the Alzheimer’s Association Walks around the country.
Thank you Marshalls and The TJX Companies, Inc.!
* From March 2 to March 15, 2014, 100% of donations made at checkout will go to the Alzheimer’s Association.

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Alzheimer’s Association Awards Largest Ever Research Grant to Expand the A4 Alzheimer’s Prevention Trial

The LEARN Project will Track Cognitive Change in a Comparison Group of Older Individuals, and Initiate the First Tau Imaging Study in a Longitudinal Prevention Trial

The Alzheimer’s Association today announced its largest ever research grant — $8 million over four years — to support the Longitudinal Evaluation of Amyloid Risk and Neurodegeneration (LEARN) study as a companion study to the Anti-Amyloid Treatment in Asymptomatic Alzheimer’s Disease (A4) Study, a pioneering Alzheimer’s prevention trial that is starting this year.

The grant was awarded to Reisa Sperling, M.D., M.M.Sc., professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School, director of the Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, and co-principal investigator of the A4 Trial.

A first of its kind study, one objective of LEARN is to determine causes of cognitive decline besides buildup of an abnormal protein called amyloid beta in the brain. Amyloid beta “plaques” are a hallmark brain lesion of Alzheimer’s discernable during life by specialized PET imaging, and also at autopsy. To that end, a subset of study participants will have an innovative PET scan of the brain for buildup of tau protein, which makes up neurofibrillary tangles, the other hallmark Alzheimer’s brain lesion.

LEARN was developed in complement to the A4 Study, which is investigating whether treatments that block amyloid beta protein build up in the brain can slow or prevent Alzheimer’s in those people who do not yet have memory and thinking problems. A4 is unique because it will specifically look at individuals who are cognitively normal and have no known Alzheimer’s-related genetic mutations, but are thought to be at risk to develop the disease because of buildup of the amyloid beta protein in their brains. A4 will test if giving this population an anti-amyloid treatment will not only change this amyloid buildup, but more importantly slow or prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

The LEARN subcomponent of A4 will follow over time individuals who do not have elevated amyloid and determine what biological changes are related to cognitive decline, including possible later amyloid buildup as well as increases in tau levels and a variety of other measures, helping to shed light on the perplexing individual variation in disease progression.

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You can help elevate Alzheimer’s from a disease to a cause

If you have Alzheimer’s, you can add your voice to the thousands of other advocates living with the disease. You don’t need a political background or experience to become an advocate. By speaking to others about the issues you face every day, you can help to shape local, state and federal laws.

Take Action

You have a unique opportunity to contribute to the larger good by turning your experience into inspiration for others living with Alzheimer’s. Your voice and the actions you take, big or small, are powerful tools that can help to raise concern and awareness and empower others.

• Advocate
• Advance research
• Become a leader
• Raise funds

Advocate

As an individual living with Alzheimer’s disease, you can add your voice to the thousands of other advocates living with the disease who are elevating Alzheimer’s from a disease to a cause. You do not need a political background or experience to become an advocate. By speaking to others about the issues you face every day, you can help to shape local, state and federal laws.

“The most compelling way that people can hear the message, that we can change the way we approach Alzheimer’s, are from people like me who have Alzheimer’s.”
Rae Lyn B., person living with Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s advocates may sign petitions, write letters, make phone calls, or meet face-to-face with elected officials in support of the cause.

To learn more about becoming an advocate:

• Email your local chapter for local advocacy opportunities.
• Join the National Alzheimer Advocate Network and receive information and updates on Alzheimer’s issues.
• Contact advocateinfo@alz.org to learn about joining the fight on Capitol Hill and meeting your member of Congress.

Get involved with your local chapter

Your local Alzheimer’s Association chapter may have volunteer opportunities and can help you determine the best way to get involved.
> Find my chapter

Advance researchback to top

Through clinical trials, researchers test new ways to detect, treat and prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Without clinical trials, there can be no better treatments, no prevention and no cure.

As a person living with the disease, you have the opportunity to make a tremendous impact on future generations by volunteering to be part of a clinical trial. To learn more about clinical trials or to find a study, use Alzheimer’s Association TrialMatch^®. It is a free matching service that connects people willing to participate in Alzheimer’s research with open trials. Start by visiting alz.org/trialmatch or calling 800.272.3900.
> Learn more about TrialMatch^®

Become a leader — Join the Early-Stage Advisory Groupback to top

The Alzheimer’s Association offers a unique opportunity for individuals living in the early stage of Alzheimer’s to elevate their voice on a national platform through theNational Early-Stage Advisory Group. Advisors serve as representatives of the Alzheimer’s Association and models of early-stage leadership for the millions of individuals living with dementia. This vital group is composed of individuals from diverse backgrounds all across the country.

Early-Stage Advisors assist the Association in:

• Providing the most appropriate services for people living with early-stage Alzheimer’s.
• Raising awareness about early stage issues by sharing their stories through national speaking engagements and media interviews.
• Advocating with legislators to increase funding for research and support programs.
• Educating the public about the impact of Alzheimer’s disease and helping to reduce the stigma surrounding dementia.

> Submit your nomination for the Early-Stage Advisory Group

Raise needed fundsback to top

Your participation in national fundraising efforts brings the mission of the Association to life and inspires others to work towards a shared goal: a world without Alzheimer’s. However you choose to participate, you are helping the Alzheimer’s Association to fund care, support and research.

Here are some of the ways that those living with the disease participate in fundraising activities to make a difference:

• Register as a walker or team captain in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s^®.
• Volunteer at your local Alzheimer’s Association chapter event.
  > Find my local chapter
• Make a donation
• Organize a team for the Alzheimer’s Association The Longest Day^®, a sunrise-to-sunset event to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

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Workshops help family members of all ages cope

Memory loss doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It doesn’t just affect individuals, but entire families and beyond. Abbie Vanderhyden knows this well. Pauline

Hamilton, Abbie’s great-grandmother, has dementia and rarely recognizes any of her family members.

Memory loss doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It doesn’t just affect individuals, but entire families and beyond. Abbie Vanderhyden knows this well. Pauline Hamilton, Abbie’s great-grandmother, has dementia and rarely recognizes any of her family members.
“It affects my relationship in that she doesn’t remember who I am, and also has a tendency to forget what we’re talking about mid-conversation. However, she has a great attitude and is very witty. She’s still very enjoyable to be around,” said Vanderhyden. “While I cope well with her lack of memory, some of my other family members take it a little harder. It’s really hard for her daughter, my grandmother, Elaine. It’s also hard for my mom and uncle, who are her grandchildren. They’re used to seeing her as the strong, independent woman they used to know.”
Seeing this dynamic first-hand prompted Vanderhyden to get involved with an upcoming workshop hosted by the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter. The Family Learning Day will take place from 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 22 at The Pavilion of the City of Marion, 1602 Sioux Drive, Marion, and from 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 29 at Bolingbrook Golf Club, 2001 Rodeo Drive, Bolingbrook.
The event is geared to families, caregivers and friends of someone with memory loss and attendees will learn practical strategies to address everyday challenges faced by those coping with memory loss, discover support services and other resources in their communities and hear about future directions in Alzheimer’s care and research.
“My role at the upcoming family day is as a part of a Question-and-Answer panel and also as a co-leader for a group focused on educating kids as well as adults on what Alzheimer’s/dementia is and how to communicate with loved ones who have it,” Vanderhyden said. “I think it’s so important to volunteer for this cause because although a lot of people know what Alzheimer’s is, I’m not so sure they know how to communicate or act around those who have it. These individuals are the ones who could benefit the most from learning more about Alzheimer’s and what their loved ones are going through.”

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