Make Twice the Impact Right Now
Make Twice the Impact Right Now
Our Autumn 2x Match Challenge is happening right now. Until midnight on Oct. 12, your gift can go twice as far to advance research, promote brain health and help provide care and support for those impacted by Alzheimer’s.
Donate NowFor Alma Alyssa Manzo, the fight against Alzheimer's disease isn't rooted in a single personal loss. It's rooted in data, in community, and in a deep sense of responsibility to the people she comes from.
"Although I have not been personally impacted by Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, I am aware of what the future might bring," says Alma, a Phoenix Arizona resident and volunteer with the Alzheimer's Association. "Being Mexican American myself, I have first-hand experience of the risk factors that impact the health outcomes of my community."
That awareness is backed by research. According to a 2021 study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia, the number of Hispanic and Latino older adults living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias is projected to reach 3.72 million by 2060, a 423% increase. Compare that to a 63% increase projected among white older adults, and the disparity becomes impossible to ignore.
"I am committed to a world without Alzheimer's disease and related dementias because my community will be disproportionately impacted, and researchers need to focus on marginalized communities," Alma says.
A Path Shaped by Purpose, Not a Single Moment
Alma's commitment didn't start with one defining event. It grew gradually, shaped by education, curiosity, and a desire to serve."There has not been a single moment that inspired my commitment," she explains. "Instead, it is a series of moments that accumulate to what I stand for now."
Her academic path, bachelor's degrees in psychology and neuroscience, gave her a foundation in the physiological, cognitive, and behavioral aspects of memory and the brain. But knowledge alone wasn't enough. She wanted to apply what she learned directly to people's lives.
"The best way I could do so was by helping my community through research," she says. "Working with caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, and focusing my research on the Hispanic/Latino community, is what inspires me to continue."
Finding Purpose in Service
For Alma, this work has become more than a career path. It has become a source of identity and connection."Supporting my community has provided me with a purpose," she says. "I am part of something bigger than myself. Without others' support, I wouldn't be able to do what I am doing now."
Looking Ahead
Alma's involvement with the Alzheimer's Association goes beyond advocacy in theory. She's active in Association community education and conferences, and she plans to deepen that involvement as her career progresses."I will continue volunteering for the Alzheimer's Association, presenting educational materials, and progressing in my Ph.D program to become a researcher who advocates for marginalized communities such as caregivers and the Hispanic/Latino community," she says.
Her Message to Others
If there's one thing Alma wants people to understand about Alzheimer's disease, it's this: "A diagnosis is not the end. Support is available for you and your family."Alma's story is one of many shared with the Alzheimer's Association. Every voice matters, and every story makes an impact. If you or someone you love is facing Alzheimer's disease or another dementia, help is available through the Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900 or online at alz.org/arizona.