The Centers for Disease Control ranks Alzheimer’s as the sixth leading cause of death in the country. While more than 100,000 people lose their battles with it each year, 5.5 million are dealing with diagnoses and more than 15 million serve as caregivers to loved ones. “There is no prevention, no treatment, no cure,” says Brenda Stewart, chief development officer for the greater Missouri chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. “If we don’t do something to conquer this now, we’re heading for a tsunami.” Since 2010, the organization’s Affair to Remember gala has given St. Louisans the opportunity to take a stand against the disease.
Fundraising events allow the Alzheimer’s Association to provide critical services to those living with the condition. Stewart says some of the organization’s most important work is through care consultations, which help individuals and families better understand the disease and develop strategies for care and symptom management. “We try to help people navigate this very difficult and painful journey as smoothly as possible,” she says. “We know how important supporting families is because we know the stress of caregiving.” The nonprofit also has a 24-hour helpline, 1.800.272.3900, to answer questions and provide assistance whenever it’s needed.
The Alzheimer’s Association is the largest private funder of research for the disease in the world. The organization has given around $320 million to research projects in 24 countries, and it wants to double its efforts over the next five years. It is conducting the U.S. Study to Protect Brain Health Through Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Risk (U.S. POINTER), which will look at how different lifestyles may impact or prevent Alzheimer’s disease. “Our goal is to reach 80 percent of families diagnosed and see a key breakthrough in Alzheimer’s prevention or a cure in nine years,” Stewart says. “We want to provide help for families dealing with the disease today and hope for tomorrow.”
This year, guests at the local chapter’s April 14 gala, themed The Rhinestone Cowboy Ball, held at The Ritz-Carlton, can expect a unique experience. “The theme is very timely since we lost Glen Campbell to Alzheimer’s this past year,” Stewart says. The event is emceed by Carol Daniel of KMOX, and Dr. John Morris, director of the Charles F. and Joanne Knight Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Washington University, will give the keynote address. The evening also will feature a memorial to Charles Knight, former CEO of Emerson. According to Stewart, Knight, who passed away from the disease last September, played an important role in founding the local chapter.
Attendees can dance to live music from Griffin and the Gargoyles, and a live auction includes items such as a Hamilton theater experience with dinner and accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton; a private plane ride to a golf excursion at Erin Hills Country Club in Wisconsin; and a VIP Cardinals experience and signed Stan Musial bat. A second auction will provide an opportunity to directly fund various Alzheimer’s Association initiatives. “People will raise their paddles in support of helping families and the hope we have in research,” Stewart says.
The Alzheimer’s Association provides care and support for those affected by the disease and other dementias on global, national and local levels. Its Affair to Remember Gala is April 14 at The Ritz Carlton. Pictured on the cover: honorary event chairs Jim and Stacey Weddle with Edward Jones associates. For more information on the gala, call 314.801.0412 or visit alz.org/greatermissouri.
Cover design by Allie Bronsky
Cover photo by Tim Parker Photography
Pictured at top: Event chairs Stacey and Jim Weddle, Edward Jones managing partner
Photo: Tim Parker Photography
