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Cassie Cook, Advocate, AIM Committee, Walk Volunteer, New Richmond

“We’re really trying to get the community to be more dementia-friendly.”
 
Cassie’s volunteering experience with the Alzheimer’s Association has grown over the last five years.  “We all have to do our parts,” says Cassie. “This is my #1 volunteering role and the least I can do is a few hours a week.”

Cassie’s grandma died of Alzheimer’s in 2018. “She’s the reason I got involved and try to make a difference for others,” says Cassie. “No one wants anyone to go through what we went through.” Cassie’s grandpa passed away six months after her grandma. “It was really hard when he passed so shortly after she did,” says Cassie. “My grandpa wanted me to stay involved and told me not to give up the fight.”

Her first experience with the Alzheimer's Association was participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Western Wisconsin in 2014 and she joined the Walk Committee shortly after. She does a lot of behind-the-scenes activities leading up to the walk, especially engaging walk teams. “We’re really trying to get the community to be more dementia-friendly,” says Cassie.

She is also on the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM) Committee and Chairs her region. “I like working with policy,” says Cassie. “We are advocating for those who have Alzheimer’s disease by sending letter, making calls and posting in social media to reach our legislators. It’s important to represent our state at the Advocacy Form in Washington D.C. The more we can rally for our own state, the more we can rally for our nation as a whole. Going to D.C. gives you a better outlook at what is happing nationwide. It’s a good way to network and see what we can do.”

Cassie works in Life Enrichment at Presbyterian Homes and Services-Woodland Hill. “Working in a senior community with families, I try to reassure them, and make them aware of resources,” says Cassie. “Everyone goes through it differently and there are resources to support families.”

“I would encourage others to volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association,” says Cassie. “It’s an important cause and affects so many people. Everyone has a connection and everybody can make a difference – share our message on social media, send an email to a congressman – it only takes one second and can reach so many.”