Deana Chiarchianis, an employee at Sutter Memorial Medical Center Modesto, helped care for her mother and mother-in-law, both of whom had dementia. When Sutter Health became a Presenting Sponsor for Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Modesto, Deana was tapped to lead her center’s team. She shares how she’s growing the team and raising funds to help bring more resources to her community. 

Family experience with dementia

Deana Chiarchianis is a manager for one of Sutter Memorial Medical Center’s Outpatient Hospital Specialty Clicnics/Programs in Modesto, California. She has more than 30 years of experience in health care. However, her knowledge on Alzheimer’s and dementia comes from personal experience. Both her mother and mother-in-law had the disease.

In 2009, Deana’s mother-in-law, Kay, was diagnosed. Because she wasn’t around her mother-in-law as much as her husband, Deana could easily see the brilliant flame that was Kay slowly diminish.

“Kay was an energetic, vibrant woman who was capable of meeting any challenge she faced,” shared Deana. “She was known to be the first one to arrive at a social event and the last one to leave cherishing every moment with family and friends.  [This disease made it so] she couldn’t do any of those things; she was just a shell of herself. She was robbed of doing everything she loved to do.”

Then in 2021, Deana’s own mother was diagnosed with vascular dementia. Deana believes that the combination of isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the California wildfires (now known to increase the risk of dementia) caused her mother to deteriorate more rapidly than Kay.

Where Kay lived for 11 years with dementia, Deana’s mother only lived for four.

Becoming a Presenting Sponsor

Two years later, in 2023, Deana’s company, Sutter Health, a healthcare system, became a Presenting Sponsor for Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Modesto.

Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® is the world’s largest fundraiser for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. This inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to join the fight against the disease.

Presenting Sponsors are encouraged to start their own team and raise funds to support their local Walk. A few weeks before their first Walk, Deana was asked to take on the role of Team Captain. That year she led her team around Graceada Park.

Due to its success – the following year, Sutter Health signed a two-year contract and expanded their sponsorship to become the Presenting Sponsor for two Walks: Modesto and Stockton.

Growing the team

This year, 2025, marks Deana’s third year as Team Captain, a position that she loves. “I like [being Team Captain],” said Deana. “[The Walk] needs support and we’re in a good position at Sutter to support it. Sutter has always been involved in working to improve care for older adults, and this kind of community support is a great fit.”

Together with her co-captain, Jennifer Perry, the duo is sending out emails, posting on message boards, and distributing fliers for leaders to share in staff meetings to get people to join the Sutter Health team. Deana includes a QR code with instructions and anyone, including patients, are welcome to join.

In past years, each affiliate of Sutter Health would start a team but this year they’re coming together to form one big Sutter Health team. Their hope is to have more than 100 people sign up to participate.

“We had a pretty big team last year,” said Deana. “We have a new family practice and internal medicine residents, and we’re working to get some of these new doctors [to sign up]. Gino Patrizio, President, Sutter Health Greater Central Valley Division, is the Walk Chair for Modesto and he brings an unprecedented level of energy to this event. We’ll have a lot of Sutter presence out there. We want to beat the drums and get people to register and do the fundraising.”

Pop up purple shirts

In addition to asking people to join the team, Deana is also leading the way in team fundraising. While individual donations are always encouraged, one of the fun things Sutter Health employees enjoy is a custom t-shirt. “We design our own purple Memories Matter t-shirt, with Sutter Health on the front and a [design] on the back. It’s pretty cool,” said Deana. “People like to have shirts and wear them to work.”

Deana’s other fundraising ideas include a paint and sip experience. She and her co-captain are still brainstorming other creative ways to get people involved. Last year, Deana’s team raised nearly $14,000.

Bringing people together

On Walk day, Deana is motivated to see all the people who come out to the event. She appreciates how casual it is and how the community comes together. “There is a grassroots feel to the Walk. It’s a nice community event,” said Deana. “I like the energy of Walk, I love having it at Graceada Park, which has lots of shade and a nice amphitheater.

“Before we walk there is a ceremony and it’s an intimate setting. You feel like you’re there for a purpose. Connecting with people who are going through the same struggles.”

In 2009 when Kay was first diagnosed, Deana didn’t know about the Alzheimer’s Association or the resources available. She was fortunate to work in healthcare and had access to resources many people outside the industry wouldn’t have had. To her, that is what makes Walk so special, connecting people to resources.

“[At Walk] you can get resources and connections to local vendors and agencies out there,” said Deana. “You’re on an island by yourself unless you know who to ask. Everyone has their own experience, no two people are exactly the same. At the end, we’re lucky to be able to take care of people.”

Join Deana and the Sutter Health Team at Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Modesto on September 13 at Graceada Park, or at Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Stockton on October 18 at the University of the Pacific. Not in Modesto or Stockton? Visit alz.org/Walk to find a Walk near you.

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Contact your local Walk for more information.