Susan Kudla Finn, PMP
President and CEO
Alzheimer’s Association®
National Capital Area Chapter


May 2013

Dear Friends:

Join us for the Washington Monuments Luncheon on May 9 as we celebrate six outstanding honorees who have made a significant difference in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.  Alzheimer’s Champion Bob Madigan from WTOP returns to host this annual event at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, DC.  Please make plans to attend as we pay tribute to AARP, ABC7/WJLA-TV, BB&T, Arthur Cox, Dr. Thomas Obisesan, and the late RADM Mac Showers.  Sponsorship opportunities and individual tickets are available.  For more information, please contact Jennifer Christiano at jchristiano@alz.org or 703.766.9014.

Advocacy and Public Policy
Our 25th annual Alzheimer’s Association Advocacy Forum was an energizing and inspiring opportunity to gather with more than 900 dedicated advocates representing all 50 states who share the passion to create real policy change on Alzheimer’s issues.  The National Capital Area Chapter registered 38 participants, the largest Chapter delegation in recent history.  We met with Rep. Jim Moran (VA), Rep. Chris Van Hollen (MD), and Rep. Frank Wolf (VA), as well as key staff of every member of Congress serving our Chapter territory, to communicate in no uncertain terms that the time is now to address the escalating Alzheimer's crisis.  There is power in numbers.  Our voice was heard on Capitol Hill.

The Alzheimer’s Association is excited that the HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act (H.R. 1507/S. 709) has been reintroduced for the 113th Congress, but we need your help again in building bipartisan support for this important legislation.  The HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act focuses on three key areas by:

• creating a package of services aimed at a formal and documented diagnosis
• ensuring that comprehensive care planning services are provided after a diagnosis to Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers
• requiring documentation of a diagnosis and any care planning services in the beneficiary’s medical record

Urge your Member of Congress to co-sponsor the HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act today!

The Longest Day
Join us on June 21 for The Longest Day®  as we honor those living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. Organize a team for this sunrise-to-sunset event and raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.  This event is about patience, strength and endurance – but it’s also about a challenge. On The Longest Day, do something you love – or try something new – to advance the cause! For people facing Alzheimer’s, this challenge is every day. For you, it’s just one.  On The Longest Day, it’s time to make a difference. Learn more and register now.

May is Older Americans Month
Older Americans Month is a proud tradition that shows our country’s commitment to honoring the value that elders contribute to our communities. This year’s Older Americans Month theme – “Unleash the Power of Age!” – highlights the significant contributions made by thousands of older Americans across our nation.  You can contribute to the fight against Alzheimer’s by becoming a Chapter volunteer!  Volunteers support our daily operations, awareness and education programs and special events.  Please contact Anne Shajkovci at 703.766.9034 or at ashajkovci@alz.org to learn more about how you can share your time and expertise with the Alzheimer’s Association.

Call to action
More than half of all Americans now knows someone with Alzheimer’s – but they may not know what they can do to help.  Share with your friends, neighbors, and colleagues that they can make a difference by partnering with the Alzheimer’s Association!  Encourage them to attend our education programs and or to sign up for a clinical trial.  Recruit them to volunteer or to become an advocate.  Invite them to attend the luncheon or to participate in The Longest Day, Walk to End Alzheimer’s or one of our other special events.  Ask them to help increase awareness by inviting you and/or the Alzheimer’s Association to speak at their businesses, civic clubs or faith communities.

The time is now to act boldly and decisively to offer hope and help to the millions of people in our country affected by this devastating disease.  Join us today in our quest to create a world without Alzheimer’s.

Warm regards,

Susan Kudla Finn, PMP
President and CEO
Alzheimer’s Association National Capital Area Chapter