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Join the cause
The Alzheimer’s Association — Utah Chapter invites you to become an Alzheimer advocate. Join us and speak up for the needs and rights of people with Alzheimer’s disease and their families.
Governor Jon Huntsman declares November National Alzheimers Month
Add your voice to ours — become an advocate today.
Act now
Write Congress and request more research funds.
Congress needs to know what’s important to you. Tell your elected officials to restore vital funding to Alzheimer research, care and prevention. Write now.
Upcoming events
Alzheimer's Association
19th Annual Public Policy Forum
The 19th Annual Alzheimer's Association Public Policy Forum in Washington, D.C., March 18-20, saw hundreds of advocates storm Capitol Hill to meet with legislators and participate in a Senate hearing on Alzheimer's disease. Two of the advocates attending this year to represent Utah were Tracy Ruiz and Erik Stern. In addition, the release of the 2007 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures report – which illustrates the impact of Alzheimer's on individuals and families; federal, state and local governments; the healthcare system; and the economy – generated national headlines. (News highlights can be found here.)
Highlights included:
• Hundreds of live and virtual visits on Capitol Hill to educate lawmakers and urge them to increase federal funding for Alzheimer research and programs. The House and Senate office buildings were filled with volunteer advocates wearing purple Alzheimer's Association sashes.
• Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) convened a subcommittee hearing on Alzheimer's disease and the introduction of the Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act of 2007 and the Family Assistance Act of 2007. Association CEO Harry Johns; Dr. Marilyn Albert; caregiver Marilyn Blum; Robert Egge of the Center for Health Transformation; and Dr. Sam Gandy, chair of the Association's Medical and Scientific Advisory Council, provided testimony.
• A moving candlelight vigil at the Lincoln Memorial honoring loved ones impacted by Alzheimer's disease.
• Jane Ochrymowycz from the Minnesota-North Dakota chapter was named the 2007 Maureen Reagan Outstanding Advocate Award winner. Kristen Czenszak, a senior at Fordham University, won the first Young Adult Essay Award, sponsored by the Vidinsky family Remember the Future Fund.
The next Public Policy Forum will be May 12-14, 2008.
What is an advocate?
Alzheimer advocates play an important role in improving the quality of care and quality of life for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their families by working to improve dementia care and services; improve access to community-based care; improve quality care in residential settings; and expand funding for research and public programs serving people with dementia.
As an advocate, you will:
- Receive regular updates about current legislative and public policy issues.
- Stay on top of policy and legislative issues through alerts and updates.
- Make calls or write to legislators to forward public policy priorities to improve quality of life for those living with Alzheimer’s.
Utah advocacy
For more information, Call the Utah Chapter at 801-265-1944.
