Debbie Jones, Alzheimer's Association board president, Iowa, shared her personal story of caring for her mom with Alzheimer's.

As the sun set over Washington, D.C., Alzheimer advocates honored loved ones who lost their battle with Alzheimer's disease.

At a briefing of the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Association National Board Member and actor David Hyde Pierce joined task force co-chairs Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) to raise awareness about early onset Alzheimer’s disease, which occurs before age 65. At the briefing, the Association also released a report titled Early Onset Dementia: A National Challenge, a Future Crisis.

Alzheimer advocate from New York, Dr. Gerald Michalak, talked about his struggle to get a diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer’s disease. In 1998, Dr. Michalak’s doctor diagnosed his memory problems as stress-related. In June 2005, at the age of 62, he was finally diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

Karen Stram, an Alzheimer advocate from Maine, shared her experiences and challenges caring for her husband who has early onset Alzheimer’s. Because of their younger age, people with early onset are often undiagnosed or they do not qualify for existing public or private assistance programs.

Alzheimer’s Association National Board Chair Lawrence Varnes recognized Nancy Cheney for her support and leadership.

Alzheimer’s Association staff from Oklahoma/Arkansas take in the memory quilt stitched by Alzheimer advocate Tracey Mobley. From left to right:Jacqueline Kouri, Clarke Kendall, Jewel Bruner and Mary Duncan. The quilt honors people with Alzheimer’s. The squares came from families who had a loved one with the disease.

Keynote speaker and public policy expert Norman J. Ornstein shared his congressional insights with advocates. He is a resident scholar at the American Enterprise for Public Policy Research, serves as an election analyst for CBS news and writes a weekly column for Roll Call newspaper.

Bettylu Saltzman, national board member and chair of the public policy committee, welcomed advocates to the 2006 Public Policy Forum. Advocates’ legislative visits are crucial during this time as there is a pending vote on June 7 for continued federal funding for Alzheimer programs.

The Maureen Reagan Outstanding Advocate Award was presented to Robert Marino (left) by Paul Attea, Alzheimer’s Association national board member and Public Policy Forum chair. The award is named after Maureen Reagan, daughter of former President Ronald Reagan, who was a national leader in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease before her death from cancer in 2001.

Every year, advocates gather for a moving candlelight vigil on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to honor loved ones who have been affected with Alzheimer’s disease.

Coretta Davis, Alzheimer’s Association volunteer, Delaware, sang “If You Could Remember” at the candlelight vigil. She lost her father, aunt and uncle to Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s Association President and CEO Harry Johns (left) presented George and Trish (not pictured) Vrandenburg with an award in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the mission of the Alzheimer's Association.

University of Arkansas former head coach and current athletic director Frank Broyles with an Alzheimer delegate at the start of the candlelight vigil. He lost his wife Barbara to Alzheimer’s disease in 2004.