My name is Deanne Alexander and I am an advocate for the Alzheimer’s Association. My fight to help find a cure started when my mother Jane was formally diagnosed with Alzheimer’s dementia in 2011. This was when my journey through advocacy to help find a cure for Alzheimer’s began.
Volunteering as an advocate gave me the support from others who were navigating through the same difficulties as a result of the disease and the resources to help find solutions. The camaraderie between all of us was so comforting and helped me and my family get through such difficult times.
The Alzheimer’s Association was a Godsend!
Fundraising has always played an important part in my role in the advocacy program. Experiencing the satisfaction of hands-on activities, gives me a tangible connection to the Alzheimer’s Association. Over the years, I have hosted many fundraising events, they fuel my purpose and passion as an advocate. This year I was frustrated with the Covid-19 pandemic restricting the association’s fundraising efforts. So when my son, an EM doctor, suggested a fundraiser making masks that represented the cause, I was ecstatic! Not only would it be a service to offer these masks for fundraising, but to help protect the surrounding vulnerable population. He has worked non-stop with the horror of Covid-19 pandemic. He cares for the elderly demented population, so sick, confused and frightened, often just dumped into the ER with no outside support. Realizing the importance of the special needs of these patients, his Emergency Room is now in the process of getting Geriatric ED Accreditation.
Now, getting back to the masks, I wholeheartedly jumped in! I custom ordered purple ribbon fabric, and my friend, who was already making masks, kindly offered to sew them. I wanted to add a bit of personal shine to each one, so I hand painting some of the ribbons with a splash of shiny washable purple glaze. I also had to figure out the best way to arrange for easy payment through an e-commence site. Hence, the fundraiser ‘Hope Shines On’ was conceived.
The price of each mask is $15.00, this includes free shipping. There are two different purple ribbon designs and all the profits will go to the Alzheimer’s Association.
‘HOPE for the Cure’ is the light in all of us, it keeps us going when we feel helpless against this horrific disease. You would be amazed at how many people stop me when I am wearing my mask and tell me about how they are personally affected by Alzheimer’s, or asks a question about where they can find help. So, I truly HOPE you will support this fundraiser. Let’s wear our masks proudly, because every day our loved ones are suffering and we should shine bright with the HOPE that #EndAlz will become a reality.
Check it out here: https://www.hopeshineson.net
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