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This week Richard welcomed Shelita Weinfield and Jessica Empeno of Alzheimer’s San Diego. As President, Shelita brings 30 years’ experience in the local nonprofit world and a deep passion for helping families to her leadership. Shelita is committed to the organization’s legacy as the best local resource for San Diego families dealing with this terrible disease, and to supporting local research for a cure. Vice President of Programs & Family service, Jessica Empeno, has been with Alzheimer’s San Diego since 2013 when they were a chapter of the National Alzheimer’s Association® and continued with Alzheimer’s San Diego.

Alzheimer’s is the third-leading cause of death in San Diego Count. Almost 65,000 San Diegans suffer from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia and they are loved and cared for by more than 150,000 others.

Alzheimer’s San Diego was formed in the wake of the former San Diego chapter separating from the national Alzheimer’s Association, so not to jeopardize the quality services our community had come to rely on for more than 30 years. Soon after the split, Alzheimer’s San Diego took over all local programs and partnerships, growing and expanding services to better help families in ways only a local organization with “boots on the ground” can do. Today, Alzheimer’s San Diego is the only local organization in San Diego providing a broad range of free in-person programs and services targeted specifically to families affected by a dementia diagnosis and provided by master’s level social workers. Alzheimer’s San Diego is steadfast in its mission to provide local families with the kind of innovative and compassionate support services that they need and deserve. As an independent organization, 100% of donations to Alzheimer’s San Diego will stay here in San Diego.

There are nearly 65,000 San Diegans with Alzheimer’s or another dementia, and more than 150,000 loved ones who care for them.

We all live in the hope of a world without Alzheimer’s disease. However, until that day comes, we look to you for the support that allows Alzheimer’s San Diego to provide free programs and services for local families and to help advance critical local research for a cure.

Next month, Alzheimer’s San Diego is bringing together some of the best and brightest scientists, geneticists and neurologists at a free Alzheimer’s research forum: Date With A Cure. The event will take place on September 9th at the University of San Diego Shiley Theatre. It will start with a clinical trials expo at 9 AM, which will give people a chance to connect with representatives from local research facilities to find out about clinical trials going on in San Diego and what they entail. The research forum will follow at 10 AM. Registration is required; click here to reserve your spot.

On October 7th in Oceanside and October 21st in Balboa Park Alzheimer’s San Diego will hold WALK4ALZ, San Diego largest Alzheimer’s walk. Walk4ALZ is San Diego’s favorite Alzheimer’s walk to raise awareness and funds for local families impacted by Alzheimer’s disease and to help advance critical local research for a cure! More than 4,000 friends, families, and fellow Alzheimer’s Champions walk for the ONLY Alzheimer’s walk where 100% of dollars raised stay in San Diego to help San Diego! Last year they raised more than $660,000 and hope to exceed $700,000 in 2017! Go here to register.

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