Twice the Impact During the Dog Days of Summer
Twice the Impact During the Dog Days of Summer
Our End of Summer 2x Match is underway, but not for long. From now until midnight on Aug. 31, your gift can have double the impact on advancing research and helping provide care and support for those impacted by Alzheimer’s.
Donate NowPat and Dave Krebs
"We want to play an active part in the vision of the Alzheimer's Association — that one day, there will be a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia."
Pat and Dave Krebs, Founders Society members, have included a gift in their estate plans to the Alzheimer's Association.
As an 8-year-old, Pat Krebs remembered noticing something different about how people treated her great grandmother: They acted as if she were invisible and whispered in hushed tones about her "senility."
Then, years later, Pat's grandmother was diagnosed with the same condition. At the time, Pat was grateful that the same thing wouldn't happen to her.
But decades later, it did.
Pat built a career as a business leader in the pharmaceutical industry, a health system executive and a disaster relief volunteer. But around age 61, she began noticing subtle changes. She attributed them to sleep deprivation from her relief work — until a cognitive test revealed otherwise. After additional tests, she was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease.
"Everything in my world seemed to stop," Pat says. "It was as if all the breath in my lungs had escaped."
Her husband, Dave, began researching and found the Alzheimer's Association. Pat called and received a care consultation.
"I found out there are people waiting to talk to people like me," she says. "This woman exuded compassion and hope — both of which I was in short supply of. I left that call feeling empowered and focused."
After that, Pat dove into dementia advocacy, education and clinical trials. She joined the Alzheimer's Association Early Stage Advisory Group, in which people living with dementia share their perspectives on the organization's work to increase concern and awareness, enhance care and support, advance public policy and accelerate research.
"Unlike my great-grandmother and grandmother, we know a lot more now," she says. "Those plaques and tangles in my brain — they're not invisible anymore. They can be addressed."
Though her diagnosis remains unchanged, Pat and Dave have hope for the future. That hope and commitment led them to include the Alzheimer's Association in their estate plans.
"We want to play an active part in the vision of the Alzheimer's Association — that one day, there will be a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia," Pat says.
Pat and Dave's commitment makes them members of the Founders Society, created to recognize and honor those extraordinary people who leave a gift to the Association in their estate plans.
"I would encourage others to include the Alzheimer's Association in their estate plans, to open a wellspring of hope and make the path ahead better for millions of people with this disease, maybe even someone you love," Pat says.
Interested in this type of gift?
Pat and Dave Krebs are making their gift to the Alzheimer's Association via their estate plans. You can find more information about what this means at the link below.
Donor spotlight
Andy and Ricci Sanchez
"We hope there are more promising breakthroughs while we're still here, and we want to be part of this battle even when we're gone. We'll never stop!"
John Strader
"With the dire necessity to improve the situation for the people that are living with this disease and the people that are caring for them, I decided this is the best place to invest our estate after Lisa and I are gone."
Diane Young
"I want to help the Association continue its work on research, clinical trials and free resources for caregivers. Without money, they can't do those things. That's going to be a part of my legacy to my mom."
Anjanette Kichline
"I'm so proud to be able to honor my father and other family members who lost their fights to Alzheimer's. My dad was an inspiration to me, and I hope, through my gift, I can inspire others to join the fight to end Alzheimer's."
JJ and Tim Jordan
"A world without Alzheimer's is the legacy we would like to leave behind. Hopefully, whatever we end up leaving will help support other families like ours. We would not have survived without the Association. We just never felt alone."
Russ and Katy Wing
"I chose to create a charitable gift annuity to benefit the Alzheimer's Association — a meaningful way to give back while receiving lifetime income. It's a win-win."
Find your local Alzheimer's Association Planned Giving Advisor
Our planned giving team is here to answer questions about including the Alzheimer's Association in a will, trust, beneficiary designations or other legacy planning opportunities.
Contact the planned giving team
Jill Workman
Alzheimer's Association
Senior Director, Planned Giving
Phone: 866.233.5148
Email: plannedgiving@alz.org
The information provided on this website is presented solely as general educational information and is not intended to be a substitute for professional estate planning, financial or legal advice. It is important to consult with a tax, financial and/or legal advisor about your specific situation.