Dear Family and Friends, During the holidays, our thoughts are never far from the more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer's disease and their more than 15 million caregivers. Nearly two-thirds of those living with Alzheimer's disease are women, and The Judy Fund is especially dedicated to research that will help us understand why more women are affected by Alzheimer's. Together, we have funded and raised more than $6 million for Alzheimer's disease research, making us the fastest-growing family fund at the Alzheimer's Association®. My holiday wish is that you'll help us end the year on a strong note with your tax-deductible year-end gift to The Judy Fund today.

The SUNY Purchase chapter posted "before" and "after" beard photos on social media. Thanks to all ΣAM chapters nationwide who made No Shave November a big success for The Judy Fund! No Shave November Raises $26,000 While more women are living with Alzheimer's, there is a special group of young men who are making a significant difference in the fight against this disease. Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity again adopted No Shave November as its signature fundraising event for The Judy Fund at the Alzheimer's Association, its national charity of choice since 2005. Sammies put away their razors in order to grow facial hair, awareness and funds to end Alzheimer's disease. The Sammies really "got growing" this year, raising $26,000 during No Shave November! We can't wait to see what fundraising ideas these gentlemen came up with to keep their support for The Judy Fund at the Alzheimer's Association going strong through December. Thanks to these men of high character, we know that it is only a matter of when, not if, we will find the cure to Alzheimer's disease. Happy holidays, and enjoy a well-deserved winter break, Sammies!

Heather Snyder, Ph.D., senior director of medical and scientific operations for the Alzheimer's Association, recently appeared on "The Dr. Oz Show" to discuss research efforts to better understand why more women than men are living with Alzheimer's. The Judy Fund is a Proud Supporter of the Women's Alzheimer's Research Initiative (WARI) In 2015 the Alzheimer's Association convened experts from around the world to explore biological, genetic, epidemiological and lifestyle factors that may explain why Alzheimer's disease affects women disproportionately. "The link between sex and Alzheimer's is complex and likely due to multiple factors." says Roberta Brinton, Ph.D., director of the Center for Innovation in Brain Science at the University of Arizona Health Sciences and a think tank co-chair. "Discovering those factors and translating those discoveries into therapy is critical." To unlock the mysteries of the disease in women, the Association has launched the Women's Alzheimer's Research Initiative (WARI). "Research showed us how women experience heart disease differently from men. We need to look at Alzheimer's in a similar way," says Maria Carrillo, Ph.D., Alzheimer's Association chief science officer. "If we can better understand the disease processes and progression in men and women, we have an opportunity to tailor how we approach detection, diagnosis and therapeutic approaches based on sex." The Association recently awarded $2.2 million in grants to nine research projects examining sex and gender differences in Alzheimer's disease. Read more about these and other important research projects the Alzheimer's Association is funding in 2017.

Please don't miss the year-end deadline of December 31 to make your tax-deductible gift to advance the fight against Alzheimer's. Your donation will continue to advance public policy and accelerate research toward treatment, prevention and, ultimately, a cure for this disease. Enjoy this beautiful season with your loved ones! Sincerely, Elizabeth Gelfand Stearns Chair, The Judy Fund