Suzanne Lissy's father, Donald Alan Schulman, a successful businessman, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 1997 at age 65. The family initially faced the dramatic changes in Donald's behaviors and abilities without much support.

"I felt like there wasn't enough help out there," Suzanne says. "You saw resources for heart disease, for cancer, but you didn’t see anything for Alzheimer's."

Suzanne's heartbreak was compounded by distance: She and her family lived in the Boston area, and her parents were in New York. Unable to provide care for her father in person, Suzanne channeled her frustration into action by volunteering with the Alzheimer's Association Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter, later serving on the chapter's board.

Over the years, Suzanne and David have become increasingly active with the Association. They raise awareness so others can easily find support services, a concept that is especially important to David as chair of Bright Horizons Family Solutions, a company that develops workplace dependent-care options.

"If someone in your family has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, the toll it takes on the working caregivers is significant," David says. "To the degree there can be programs and services that can help people sooner, everyone wins. The family wins, the employer wins and the community wins."

"Making that first call can be difficult. I get it. I was there," Suzanne says. "It was the hardest call for me to make. But once you make it, the person on the other end of the line can help you take the next step. And that support is invaluable."

The Lissys first became members of the Aspire Society in 2011. Every dollar and every volunteer hour the Lissys contribute to the Alzheimer's Association is in honor of Donald.

"He really took care of people, including his own parents," Suzanne says. "He always put others first." Now his family is doing the same.