The Gelfand family

Marshall M. Gelfand and his family established The Judy Fund at the Alzheimer's Association in 2003 in loving memory of his wife, Judy, and her mother, Gertrude Jaffe. Since its inception, this family fund has raised and invested more than $8 million in partnership with the Association with one clear mission: To help create Alzheimer's survivorship for future generations. Through the generosity of families, friends, business colleagues and corporations, The Judy Fund, now chaired by Elizabeth Gelfand Stearns, is the largest and fastest-growing family fund in the Association's history.

The Gelfands and The Judy Fund have sponsored Alzheimer's Association research grants since 2003, providing key funding for Zenith Fellows Awards and Women's Alzheimer's Research Initiative grants. In addition, the family has inspired and empowered legions of others nationwide to advance the Alzheimer's cause. For instance, the Judy Fund invests in the Alzheimer's Association's Ambassador Program, helping support hundreds of volunteers who maintain a conversation about Alzheimer's disease with their legislators year-round. The Judy Fund's national team for the Walk to End Alzheimer's^® has grown to 69 teams in 54 cities across 29 states.Team walkers include the men of Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity, which made The Judy Fund its national service project in 2005, engaging a new generation of supporters in the cause.

"Our father has shown us all what one family can do to help change the world," says Elizabeth. "Our father's ultimate battle, his fight against Alzheimer's disease, is a very personal one — it's one that honors our mother and is a way to protect us, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and the future generations of our family."