Alzheimer's Association®

Barb Townsend turned her pain into purpose after losing her beloved mother, June B. Hughes, to Alzheimer’s. 💜 “I adored my mother ever since I was a very young girl. She was my everything. My heart was crushed watching my mom go through this in her last two years of life. I hate this disease with every fiber of my being.” As an activity director at a nursing home, Barb witnessed firsthand the devastation of Alzheimer’s—not just on residents, but on their families. But when the disease hit home, the fight became personal. After her mother’s passing, Barb’s husband encouraged her to find healing through action. “He suggested I start doing fundraisers to help end Alzheimer’s. I’m so thankful he did. I will keep doing this as long as I possibly can.” That’s when the Peru Pickleball Tournament to End Alzheimer’s was born. Barb set a $5,000 goal for the third year of the tournament. Now, she is raising funds and awareness one serve at a time for The Longest Day!  In celebration of #PickleballMonth 🏓, we want to thank Barb and all the pickleball players who are serving up an impact for The Longest Day! Have a passion for pickleball? Start your own pickleball fundraiser at: alz.org/TLDpickleball. #ENDALZ

Are you a caregiver for someone living with dementia? Join us on Thursday, April 17, at 10 a.m. CT for a free webinar on understanding dementia-related behaviors and the challenges they can present. Learn from other caregivers, and leave with real tools and techniques that can help empower you in your caregiving journey. This webinar is supported by Procter & Gamble. Register now: bit.ly/43vGRO1.

Cuts made today by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) may undermine our nation’s response to the dementia public health crisis. Bipartisan Alzheimer’s programs like the Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s program are now at risk due to a reduction in staff and resources. The BOLD program strengthens Alzheimer’s public health efforts, such as increasing early detection and diagnosis, reducing risk and supporting the needs of caregivers. Congress reauthorized BOLD last year with unanimous support thanks to the hard work of our advocates and congressional champions. Without BOLD, people may not have the information to make brain healthy choices to reduce their risk of Alzheimer’s, and be less likely to get a diagnosis or seek treatment. You can help. Take action NOW to urge your members of Congress to defend the bipartisan BOLD program: https://bit.ly/3QWdQ6D. #BOLDAlzheimersAct

As #WomensHistoryMonth comes to a close we honor the strength and perseverance of author, journalist, speaker and first, and only, long distance swimmer to swim between Cuba and the US without the use of a shark cage: Diana Nyad. After losing her mother to Alzheimer’s disease, Diana brought her passion to the fight to #ENDALZ as an outspoken advocate for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, along with advances in Alzheimer’s research. Read her story: https://bit.ly/445RZ4f.

To all of the doctors and healthcare workers serving people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia, we thank you. Your hard work and dedication to your communities is an inspiration to us all. #NationalDoctorsDay #ENDALZ

The Home Instead Walk to End Alzheimer’s Diamond National Team surpassed their 2024 fundraising goal, raising $280K for the fight to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia! Thank you🙌, Home Instead, for your unwavering support. #ENDALZ

Do you know someone who would be interested in using their experience living with dementia to inspire action and empower others? The Alzheimer's Association National Early-Stage Advisory Group helps bring the voices of individuals living with Alzheimer’s and related disorders to the national forefront. Submit your nominations for our 2025-2026 Advisory Group by April 14: bit.ly/3RlP0wT.

Promising new research finds that a drug that removes beta-amyloid plaques — a hallmark of Alzheimer’s — from the brain may delay onset of the disease. Researchers examined the impact of the drug on a small group of individuals with a rare genetic mutation that virtually guarantees they will develop the disease. Twenty-two participants who started the study with no symptoms and received the drug the longest — more than 8 years — cut their risk of symptom onset in half. These families with Alzheimer’s-causing genes are helping answer a critical question for anyone at risk: Can blocking or eliminating amyloid buildup really stave off symptoms? “It is exciting to think about the possibility that Alzheimer’s disease might not be what gets me.” -June Ward, study participant Read the full story: bit.ly/4l6Zzlq.

#WomensHistoryMonth gives us a chance to reflect on the legacy of two important people in the fight to end Alzheimer’s disease; Hollywood icon Rita Hayworth and her daughter, Princess Yasmin Aga Khan. After Silver Screen legend Rita Hayworth was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 1980, Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, publicly shared her mother's diagnosis. When she did, she ignited an important national conversation about the disease. Princess Yasmin Aga Khan founded the Rita Hayworth Gala in New York in 1984 in honor of her mother. Since then, the event has evolved into the Imagine Benefit, built on the legacy of the Rita Hayworth Gala, and the Chicago Rita Hayworth Gala. Together, these events have raised nearly $90 million to advance the mission of the Alzheimer's Association. #ENDALZ

Today, the World Dementia Council elected our President and CEO Joanne Pike, DrPH, as its new chair. In this role, Dr. Pike will lead the organization’s work to coordinate global efforts against dementia. “Accelerating scientific advancements in treatment, diagnostics, and care are offering hope to the global dementia community, but more work remains to advance global access. I look forward to working together with our members and the wider stakeholder community to ensure continued progress in the years ahead.” Learn more: https://bit.ly/4bYCNYL.