"Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not
sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.” -Dale Carnegie
sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.” -Dale Carnegie
I recently sat down with several leaders in our community to discuss an issue I'm deeply passionate about
-- Alzheimer's disease and its devastating impact on families.
We talked about ways we can raise awareness and reduce the stigma of
Alzheimer's disease in the Tampa Bay area and beyond. This meeting couldn't have come at a more fitting time. September is World Alzheimer's Month and next Saturday, September 29th is Tampa's Walk to End Alzheimer's.
We are opening a new chapter in the story of Alzheimer’s disease. We
are embarking on a new era. An era of hope. An era of change. An era of
action.
As our conversation continued I realized how much we still need to do, but also how far we've come.
Our
country has a National Alzheimer's Plan. Advocates have been out in communities signing petitions to prioritize awareness.
Medical researchers have gained a clearer picture for prevention and
treatment.
These are not steps towards a cure, these are leaps. Now we must challenge ourselves, our government and our corporations to
adequately fund this effort. These funds will provide our researchers with the
resources to end this devastating epidemic. It will take a coordinated effort to ensure that Alzheimer's is a
national priority.
At times, the numbers seem daunting. The task seems
larger than ourselves. For those who understand just how debilitating
this disease is for diagnosed individuals, their families and our
economy, it can be overwhelming. I can't deny how truly devastating
these effects can be. However, I can assure you that no step towards
action is too small or insignificant. Whether it is sharing your
personal story, donating a few dollars to research or taking the time to
read and share this post. The culmination of these individual steps
toward awareness and education is a societal leap towards a cure. A
leap of faith in our future. As my friends at USF's Byrd Institute say, a
future where "Alzheimer's is a memory".
There's no better time to act than today. Here's a few things you can do:
-Wear purple to spread awareness.
-Share information on social media to educate others.
-Sign up for the Walk to End Alzheimer's to support those living with
Alzheimer's in your community. If you're in Tampa, I'd love to have you
on my team. Click here to sign-up.
Science is ready to face this disease and I believe we are too.
