Make a Difference

You have a unique opportunity to contribute to the larger good by turning your experience into inspiration for others living with Alzheimer's. Your voice and the actions you take, big or small, are powerful tools that can help to raise concern and awareness and empower others. 

• Become a leader
• Advocate
• Advance research
• Participate in an event

Become a leader: Join the Early-Stage Advisory Group

The Alzheimer's Association offers a unique opportunity for individuals living in the early stage of Alzheimer's to elevate their voice on a national platform through the National Early-Stage Advisory Group. Advisors serve as representatives of the Alzheimer's Association and models of early-stage leadership for the millions of individuals living with dementia. This vital group is composed of individuals from diverse backgrounds all across the country.

Early-Stage Advisors assist the Alzheimer's Association in:

• Providing the most appropriate services for people living with early-stage Alzheimer's.
• Raising awareness about early-stage issues by sharing their stories through national speaking engagements and media interviews.
• Advocating with legislators to increase funding for research and support programs.
• Educating the public about the impact of Alzheimer's disease and helping to reduce the stigma surrounding dementia.

Learn more: Early-Stage Advisory Group

Advocate

As an individual living with Alzheimer's disease, you can add your voice to the thousands of other advocates living with the disease who are elevating Alzheimer's from a disease to a cause. You do not need a political background or experience to become an advocate. By speaking to others about the issues you face every day, you can help to shape local, state and federal laws.

Alzheimer's advocates may sign petitions, write letters, make phone calls, or meet face-to-face with elected officials in support of the cause.

To learn more about becoming an advocate:

• Contact your Alzheimer's Association chapter for local advocacy opportunities.
• See our Advocate section. 

Advance research

Through clinical trials, researchers test new ways to detect, treat and prevent Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Without clinical trials, there can be no better treatments, no prevention and no cure.

As a person living with the disease, you have the opportunity to make a tremendous impact on future generations by volunteering to be part of a clinical trial. To learn more about clinical trials or to find a study, use Alzheimer's Association TrialMatch®. It is a free matching service that connects people willing to participate in Alzheimer's research with open trials. 

Participate in an event

Your participation in national fundraising efforts and other events brings the mission of the Association to life and inspires others to work towards a shared goal: a world without Alzheimer's. However you choose to participate, you are helping the Alzheimer's Association to fund care, support and research.

Here are some of the ways that those living with the disease participate in fundraising activities to make a difference:

• Register as a walker or team captain in the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's®.
• Volunteer at your local Alzheimer's Association chapter event.
• Organize a team for the Alzheimer's Association The Longest Day®, a sunrise-to-sunset event to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer's care, support and research.