Alzheimer's Awareness

The Alzheimer's Association has always been close to my heart because of how this devastating disease has affected my family.

When I was eight years old, my grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.
In January of 2015, he lost his battle to this devastating disease. After providing countless hours of care and service as his caregiver and watching my mother care for him over the years, I realized that I couldn't stand by and do nothing as MILLIONS of Americans are affected by this disease every single day.

There are currently 5.7 Million Americans living with Alzheimer's disease, and 120,000 of those people are living in my home state of Tennessee. Every 65 seconds, someone develops Alzheimer's Disease.

Every 65 seconds, I have another reason to fight for a cure. No grandchild, sister, brother, cousin, niece, nephew or friend should ever have to watch their loved one lose their life to Alzheimer's Disease.

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Fundraising

Fundraising is a critical part of finding the cure for Alzheimer's Disease.
You can help fundraise by participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer's with me;

Each year, I participate as the captain of #TeamSparkle in the Walk To End Alz at several walks across the state of Tennessee.
Join my team, help fundraise, and walk with us as we walk together to end this disease.

Keep up with me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to find out what fundraisers I'll be hosting and participating in, and how you can get involved!

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Congressional Advocacy

As Tennessee's state appointed Congressional Advocate & a National Ambassador for the Alzheimer's Association,
I have been trained to lobby U.S. representatives to encourage them to enact legislation that will help us end Alzheimer's Disease.

I've had the opportunity to be one of Tennessee's representatives at the Alzheimer's Association's Caregiver Advocacy Forum in Washington, D.C. Together, we gather to hear stories of strength, hope, and perseverance to find a cure for Alzheimer's.
We go through specific training to lobby our national representatives for Alzheimer's research funding and Dementia friendly Legislation.

HOPE for Alzheimer's Act

PCHETA -
increase palliative care and hospice training for health care professionals & launch a national campaign to inform patients and families about the benefits of palliative and hospice care, & enhance research on improving the delivery of palliative care.

$1.9 Billion allocated to the NIH for Alzheimer's Research Funding! This is a historic total in Alzheimer's research funding- but we are not done. We must increase congress's commitment to research for a cure!

Alzheimer's is the most expensive disease in our nation.
Alzheimer's costs our Federal government $277 Billion in Medicare and Medicaid Costs.

In March of 2018, the Tennessee Senate passed joint resolution SJR 619,
Designating Alzheimer's disease and other related dementias as a public health issue by the Commissioner of Department of Health.
Tennessee is one of the FIRST states to pass legislation that designates Alzheimer's as a public health issue.
This legislation designates Alzheimer's disease as one that must be improved to protect the safety of communities through education, policy making, and research.

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Raising Awareness

As a former caregiver and as the current National Ambassador & State Congressional Advocate for the Alzheimer's Association,
I understand that there is such a great need for awareness with this devastating disease.

Over the last five years, I've travelled the state speaking and sharing my story-

If you or your organization would like me to speak at your event and you would like to join me in the fight to #ENDALZ,
see the contact page and let's chat about how we can work together to spread awareness & understanding & End Alzheimer's for good.

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Providing Hope

One of the hardest parts of losing a loved one to Alzheimer's is the feeling of hopelessness that can come with this disease.

Part of my mission is to let families know that they are not alone- that there are thousands of families that provide support groups and encouragement for others facing the same battle that they are fighting.

The Alzheimer's Association has countless opportunities for volunteers and advocates, local chapters provide resources, support groups, and help lines and so much more to those that need their help.

Speaking and traveling around the state about this disease helps me to enable others to know the warning signs of Alzheimer's Disease, teach others how to handle caring for someone who is diagnosed, and to put them in touch with the resources that can help them, but to most importantly let families know that they are not alone.

My mission is to help provide caregivers with the resources and support groups that are available through the Alzheimer's Association in their local communities to offer assistance and much needed caregiver support through this journey.

I have so loved getting to work with the Tennessee Respite Coalition as an Honorary Board Chair
and with Volunteer Tennessee to promote service in our state.

I also work with the Governor's Commission on Aging and Disability as an ambassador for the Tennessee Brain Games to promote a healthy Brain Initiative in our state.

Will You Join Me To End Alzheimer's?

donate now to the cause

Contact Your Congressman

In Tennessee, Our legislative Priorities are:

- to implement and update the state Alzheimer's disease Plan

- Improve dementia and alzheimer's specific training

- Increase early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease

- To educate the public about risk education

- to preserve medicaid

To learn more about this and our other legislative initiatives, click here.

Holding my great grandaddy's hand at his 100th Birthday

Supporting the Memphis Walk2EndAlz

Emceeing the Kingsport Walk2EndAlz Kick Off Luncheon

Speaking at the Chattanooga Caregiver's Conference for the Alzheimer's Association

I walk to End Alzheimer's so that no child will ever know what it's like to lose a loved one to this disease. What will you walk for?

Speaking at the Inaugural Alzheimer's and Dementia Awareness Gala at the Discovery Park of America in Union City

Attending the Memphis Walk2EndAlz

Speaking to our legislators and at our Alzheimer's Rally at the Tennessee State Capitol for Alzheimer's Day on the Hill 2018!

Sharing my story at the Memphis Walk2EndAlz Kick off Luncheon

My grandpa Chester, who lost his battle to Alzheimer's disease

2018 Alzheimer's Association Day On The Hill!

Attending the Alzheimer's Association's National Caregiver's Forum in Washington, D.C.