Marshall Gelfand began The Judy Fund in July 2003 as our mother, Judy Gelfand, said goodbye to us all. My father's vision was clear: He would raise $1 million from colleagues and friends in Judy's name. And he did just that: Within four months, he engaged a core group of very generous donors, all of whom still generously give today. But we knew we couldn't stop there.

My father and I were determined to become part of the solution by investing in research and public policy, including sponsoring the Association's $1 million Pioneer Research Award in 2004 and the new Alzheimer's Ambassadors program in 2010.

When the Alzheimer's Association collaborated on a landmark report that documented women are disproportionately affected by Alzheimer's and other dementia, our mission took on new focus and renewed urgency: We started funding grants grants to researchers studying the role of sex and gender in Alzheimer's and hosting educational programs about women’s brain health. In 2014, the Alzheimer's Association recognized our $5 million fundraising milestone with the Sergeant and Eunice Shriver Profiles in Dignity award in Washington D.C. And in 2023, the Association honored our $10 million fundraising milestone and two decades of impact with the Jerome H. Stone Philanthropy Award for Alzheimer's Research.

Thank you for your ongoing support that has made all of these accomplishments possible. As Margaret Mead once said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

Please stay engaged, we have a lot more work to do.

Elizabeth Gelfand Stearns