Alejandro Daza got an opportunity to see the effects of Alzheimer’s firsthand during college, living with his grandmother and watching “the rapid deterioration of her health and her mind.”
Decades later, that experience remains fresh as Daza looks to tackle the seemingly insurmountable disease from multiple angles: in his family, in his Hispanic community and as a management consulting services professional.
“I saw the impact (Alzheimer’s) had on my immediate relatives,” said Daza, who helped his aunt care for his grandmother.
Now a senior manager with KPMG, one of the Big 4 accounting organizations, Daza hopes to meld his personal experiences and what he sees as a community need with his professional reach.
Alzheimer’s disease is a global issue, with more than 50 million people living with dementia, including 6.5 million in the U.S. and 76,000 Coloradans. People of Hispanic ethnicity are 50% more likely than non-Hispanic Whites to develop the disease – a fact not lost on Daza.
“A personal goal of mine is to bring awareness (of Alzheimer’s) into Hispanic communities in America and provide education to eliminate the stigma associated with this disease within the communities,” he said. “I also have a goal to contribute in whatever capacity I can to bring resources into the Alzheimer’s Association and disseminate the tools and support mechanisms the Association offers, particularly in underrepresented communities.”
Now in his second year on the board of the Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado, Daza sees synergies between KPMG and the Association, with KPMG able to share information about the Association and its programs across his organization and to its clients. That can lead to opportunities for staff at KPMG to volunteer in varying capacities with the Association and engage in fundraising to support programs and research to find a cure.
“I truly believe that it is important to advocate (for the Alzheimer’s cause) and support medical research,” he said. “We must expand our understanding of this disease and support the possibility of finding a cure.”
To others in the business community who may be seeking a role on the Alzheimer’s Association board, Daza recommends it with a caveat.
“It is highly rewarding on a personal level,” he said, noting that on top of demanding lives and work schedules, it is an added time commitment. For him, it’s worth it. “It’s important to believe in the cause.”
Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia.™ For more information, visit www.alz.org or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.