Junior Board Spotlight – Alzheimer’s Association
The Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter Junior Board was founded in 2011 to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s and related dementias to individuals in their 20s and 30s, and to take action through fundraising events, support programs, education and advocacy initiatives. In this article we feature one of our Junior Board members, Elizabeth Entinghe.
Junior Board Spotlight
The Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter Junior Board was founded in 2011 to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s and related dementias to individuals in their 20s and 30s, and to take action through fundraising events, support programs, education and advocacy initiatives.
Elizabeth Entinghe, Vice President of Development
What led to your involvement with the Alzheimer’s Association?
Six years ago, my father passed away at the age of 57 from a rare from of dementia after battling with the disease for over 8 years. I volunteered at a local Walk to End Alzheimer’s, but wanted to do more with the Association, which is when I found the Chapter’s Junior Board. Nearly three years ago, I joined the Junior Board, and have been actively involved since.
What are some of your responsibilities as Vice President of Development?
In my role, I manage our Fundraising and Events and Marketing teams, and together we work to raise awareness for the Junior Board and the Greater Illinois Chapter through our various social media and outreach efforts as well as our fundraising programs, like our upcoming winter event – Paint the Night Purple.
Why is being a member of the Junior Board important to you?
Being a part of the Junior Board is important to me because it is my way of honoring my father with his battle with the disease and my mother for her tremendous support of my father as his caregiver. I wish I could say they were the only ones who have gone through this, but so many people do so I joined the Junior Board to honor them, support those with the disease today and those who may have it tomorrow, and hope for a world where Alzheimer’s no longer exists.
Why should others become involved with the Junior Board and the Alzheimer’s Association?
I encourage others to become involved with the Junior Board and the Alzheimer’s Association because the work the Association does is so important for our communities. Supporting the efforts of those with the disease and, equally as important, their caregivers and loved ones is critical, and that is one of the key facets of the Association’s mission. Plus, living in a world without Alzheimer’s would be pretty great – don’t you think?
Why do you raise awareness and encourage others to become educated about Alzheimer’s disease?
Watching or caring for a loved one with the disease is one of the most difficult experiences one can go through. Feeling so helpless – for both the person fighting the disease and their loved ones – is such a terrible feeling, especially as these are emotions neither party wants to show the other. We should all raise awareness and become educated about Alzheimer’s disease to support all efforts to end those experiences and, ultimately, end Alzheimer’s. I want to raise awareness for the fight to end Alzheimer’s to hopefully one day live in a world where no one has to fight the disease and to prevent that feeling of helplessness for anyone who may be affected by the disease. Each of our lives are too important to be forced to forget them.
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