There are volunteers, and then there are volunteers. Dan Thomas is one of those volunteers who just can’t say “no.”
Thomas will admit that Alzheimer’s disease is a personal cause for him. His dad passed away with the disease. So did an uncle and aunt. So, when Dan, a semi-retired business executive, was looking for a way to “give back,” the Alzheimer’s Association seemed like a natural fit for his volunteer fix. It still does – more than a decade later.
Former Colorado Chapter Board Chair Kelly Rogers knew of Dan’s connection to the disease, so about 10 years ago, she invited him to join the board’s development committee. That led to several terms on the board, including more than four years as treasurer, and significant involvement on the executive committee as the independent Colorado Chapter went through the process of merging with the national Alzheimer’s Association.
“It has clearly been a passion of mine,” Thomas said. “When the opportunity came up, I jumped at it. I’ve been happy to be involved in a number of areas.”
By the time his six-year stint on the Colorado Chapter board of directors ended in 2017, Thomas was fully retired, but he wasn’t ready to relax from his role with the Alzheimer’s Association.
Stepping down from the board gave Thomas more time to devote to carrying the Association’s message to members of Congress. Originally, he enlisted as Alzheimer’s advocacy ambassador to Sen. Mark Udall shortly after the program was started in 2012 and then moved over to Sen. Cory Gardner after his election in 2014.
It should be noted that Sen. Gardner has been a supporter of the Association’s cause and has cosponsored a few of our legislative acts and funding, including seeing National Institutes of Health funding for Alzheimer’s research climb from about $400 million to well over $2 billion today.
In his “spare time,” Thomas sprinkles in an occasional Alzheimer’s education presentation. And he was prominently involved in the initial fundraising activities when the Boulder office was established several years ago.
“I think the majority of Alzheimer’s volunteers have a connection to the disease,” said Thomas, who’s father was diagnosed in the late 1980s. “It’s such a needed, and high-quality organization. The passion of the people amazes me. It keeps me energized. Once you get involved, you’re hooked.”
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.