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As 2008 draws to a close we take this opportunity to thank you for being a partner in our important work. Even in these difficult economic times, the number of New Yorkers with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias continues to grow. There has never been a greater need for our free-of-charge services.
We hope that you will consider making a year-end contribution at this time. It is only with your generosity that we can maintain our programs and sustain their high quality to help the over 250,000 people in New York City who have Alzheimer’s disease, as well as their families and caregivers.
Your support also has a direct and meaningful impact on our ability to work toward eliminating Alzheimer’ disease through the advancement of research.
With the help of our friends, we achieved the following 2008 milestones:
- The Alzheimer’s Association funded $25.4 million in grants to 131 individual investigators—18 of these talented scientists work in New York City laboratories. The Alzheimer’s Association is the largest non-profit funder of Alzheimer’s research.
- In January 2008, MedicAlert® and the Alzheimer’s Association joined forces to form the MedicAlert® + Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return® program, a live, 24-hour emergency response service for wandering and medical emergencies. Currently, the program is supported by a member service center, an emergency response center, and an information technology center all with national capabilities to work across the country. Over 11,000 New Yorkers are currently enrolled. In the last year, the MedicAlert + Safe Return program has safely returned, in partnership with the New York City Police Department, 235 individuals to their families.
- The Chapter provides a 24-hour Helpline and family care consultation. In a twelve month period, the Helpline received nearly 4,000 calls and Chapter
social workers counseled over 650 families and individuals who needed our advice and support.
- In response to the demand, we expanded access to our oversubscribed Family Caregiver Workshop, offering daytime, evening and weekend sessions that were attended by individuals seeking guidance to better help their family members.
- Our Eighth Annual Early-Stage Memory Disorders Forum was held in May at the Roosevelt Hotel in Midtown Manhattan. The theme was For the Record: Sharing the Past, Living the Present. Overall attendance was up by 8%, including Spanish-speaking clients and caregivers who received simultaneous translation for the first time in the Chapter’s history.
- The Chapter continued expansion of Diversity and Outreach programming, providing home care worker training for Spanish-speaking home health aides, and Legal and Financial seminars for Spanish-speaking family members; growth in the African-American Outreach Program to targeted areas in Brooklyn; and the launch of a new Chinese Outreach Program.
Perhaps the impact of how we fulfill our mission is best expressed by one of those we have helped. “It was comforting to know that I could reach out to you for direction and an understanding voice. You truly do ‘good work’ not only in what you do, but how
you do it.”
In 2009, we look forward to working for the community to develop and implement innovative programs and services. We know that we must meet the needs of New Yorkers with Alzheimer’s and related dementias as the Alzheimer’s epidemic grows.
Thank you again for the important role you play in making our work possible. We could not achieve our goals without you. We hope that you will contribute more generously than ever to the Alzheimer’s Association, New York City Chapter.
With best wishes for a joyous holiday season and a peaceful and productive New Year.
Sincerely,
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Heath B. McLendon
Chair, Board of Directors |
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