Hello Friends! My name is Kevin Kvarda or you can call me “K-Squared.” Since June of 2019, I’ve had new friends in my life — a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA). I’ve not necessarily been one to stand up on the public stage, but my diseases have pulled me out and given me a voice…a positive voice and hope. Continue reading My Advocacy Story: Kevin Kvarda
By Seema Abassi, MD (speaking in photo above) My father was a retired air force officer. He was in excellent health until one day, when he was 80 years old, he suffered a heart attack and needed an emergency bypass surgery. The surgery was a success, but after his discharge from the hospital, we noticed significant memory changes and thence began his seven-year journey with … Continue reading My Advocacy Story: Seema Abbasi, MD
Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds 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! Join us in the fight for Alzheimer’s first survivor at alzwa.org/walk Continue reading Walk to End Alzheimer’s- Washington State Chapter 2019
Each fall, the Alzheimer’s Association, Washington State Chapter hosts a series of Town Halls across Washington State and northern Idaho. These community events are a unique opportunity for constituents to hear from and ask questions of local leaders about public policy related to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Here are few of topics being covered at our Town Halls this year: Increases to Research Funding The … Continue reading Public Policy Town Halls 2018
Alzheimer’s disease impacts others besides those who’ve been diagnosed. Valerie Halvorson can attest to that. Valerie’s father was living in Pampa, Texas when he was diagnosed. At the time, Valerie was a teacher in Olympia. “I was 2,000 miles away,” Valerie says. “And though they would visit often, it was hard for me to tell really what was going on, and my mom didn’t want … Continue reading Valerie Halvorson: Why I Walk
Established in 2016, the Dementia Action Collaborative (DAC) is a coalition of public-private partners committed to preparing Washington State for the growth of the dementia population. The DAC has been a driving force behind many initiatives in Washington State, including but not limited to: Dementia Roadmap Designed to let people impacted by Alzheimer’s know what to expect, the Dementia Roadmap has become a go-to … Continue reading The Dementia Action Collaborative
By Heidi Smith of ThurstonTalk.com Looking back, the signs were there. As early as 2001, Christophe Allen’s mother Jeannine was forgetting things – little things to be sure, but enough to make her family notice. “She would go to Costco and buy a bunch of stuff and then the next week, go to Costco and buy a whole bunch of the same stuff. It was … Continue reading Acme’s New Purple Truck Delivers Fuel – and Research Funding for Alzheimer’s
By Senator Patty Murray Traveling around Washington state, I’ve heard from many families about the devastating effect Alzheimer’s has on their lives. Each individual story is heartbreaking, and unfortunately each story is one of many such heartbreaks being caused by this terrible disease. A few years ago this disease was the 3rd leading cause of death in Washington, and today there are an estimated 100,000 seniors … Continue reading Why I Fight for Families Fighting Alzheimer’s
Hello, my name is Maria Prescott and I’m 26 years old. I’m originally from Sumner, grew up in Rainier and now live Gig Harbor. This is my story of caregiving for my grandparents, both of whom were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. I hope that by sharing my story, people who become caregivers for their grandparents or another family member will see it can be well … Continue reading Returning the Favor: Maria Prescott
Editor’s Note: Registration is open for 2018 Advocacy Day. Join the fight against Alzheimer’s in Olympia! By Rep. Rick Larsen It’s a great pleasure for me to be here. I just live up on the hill, not too far from here, and I heard all this noise going on so I came down here to see what was going on. Turns out, there is a … Continue reading Join the Fight Against Alzheimer’s: Rep. Rick Larsen
