Triple Your Impact This Holiday Season
Triple Your Impact This Holiday Season
Celebrate the holidays with a year-end gift that can go 3x as far to help provide care and support to the millions affected by Alzheimer's disease, and to advance critical research. But please hurry — this 3x Match Challenge ends soon.
Donate Now
As an advocacy volunteer from Horry County, SC, Shaw Ashley is using his voice to grow bipartisan support for Alzheimer’s and dementia policies. But at the heart of that work is his family's experience, shared here in his own words.
"Because this has affected me deeply on both sides of my family, I am nervous for my future. It is my job to advocate and fight to live in a world without Alzheimer's, something I've been doing since I was 14!"
Please tell us about yourself and your story.
I am an Elementary Education major at Clemson University. I have been involved with the Alzheimer's Association since 2020. I am excited to be apart of the ALZ Impact Movement in addition to the Alzheimer's Congressional Team for Congressional District 3 (here at Clemson) and District 7 (at home in Horry County).
During my childhood, my paternal grandmother and maternal great-grandmother were diagnosed with Alzheimer's. My grandmother passed away in 2020, and my great-grandmother in 2024. Because this has affected me deeply on both sides of my family, I am nervous for my future. It is my job to advocate and fight to live in a world without Alzheimer's, something I've been doing since I was 14!
What have been your greatest frustrations or challenges along the way?
One of my greatest challenges growing up was seeing my close family members diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. It was heartbreaking to watch people I loved slowly lose their memories. That experience motivated me to get involved with the Alzheimer’s Association as a teenager, where I began volunteering to raise awareness and support others going through similar struggles.What are some things that give you relief or help you with the situation?
Spending time volunteering with the Alzheimer’s Association has really helped me find purpose and relief. It makes me feel like I’m doing something meaningful to honor my family. Talking with others who understand what it’s like, sharing memories of my grandmother and great-grandmother, and focusing on raising awareness all help me cope and stay positive.What do you most want people to understand about Alzheimer's or other dementia?
I want people to understand that Alzheimer’s isn’t just about memory loss, it changes every part of a person’s life and deeply affects their family too. It’s important to have patience, compassion, and awareness for those living with the disease and their caregivers. Even when someone can’t remember names or faces, their feelings and need for love never fade.Ready to use your voice in the fight against Alzheimer's and all dementia?
- Get involved as a volunteer advocate in South Carolina.
- Contact policy-makers on timely issues.
- Share your story with us.