Inside the National Alzheimer’s Dinner

IMG_5304“Tonight’s National Alzheimer’s Dinner is a great opportunity for the Alzheimer’s Association to acknowledge the historic progress that was made with new federal Alzheimer’s research funding in 2015, to recognize our advocates from all over the country for their commitment and to thank our allies on Capitol Hill who have led the fight in Congress to combat Alzheimer’s disease.  We were also honored to be joined by noted actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley, who has chosen to stand with the Alzheimer’s Association as a partner to help end this disease,” said Robert Egge, Alzheimer’s Association Chief Public Policy Officer, as the association held its Annual Advocacy Forum at the Marriott Wardman Park in DC.IMG_5390

Advocates from across the country came together to share their personal stories of the financial and emotional toll Alzheimer’s and dementia has on more than five million Americans living with the disease and the nearly 15 million family members and friends who serve as caregivers.

 

During a forum earlier in the week, Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) received the Association’s Lifetime Achievement award, honoring her decades of public service and commitment to combat Alzheimer’s disease. IMG_5759Additionally, the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement, the sister organization of the Association, presented Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Patty Murray (D-WA) with the 2016 Humanitarian Award for their leadership in helping to secure historic funding forAlzheimer’s research.

One highlight of the Dinner included Kimberly Williams-Paisley, actress and author of Where the Light Gets In: Losing My Mother Only to Find Her Again, sharing the story of her mother’s diagnosis with early-onset dementia.

*Images courtesy.