Alzheimer's Association

Jerome H. Stone founded the Alzheimer's Association with the help of several family support groups after meeting with the National Institute on Aging in 1979. Stone's efforts began in 1970 when his wife was first diagnosed with Alzheimer's. During the 1970s, there was very little information available about the disease, and only a few support groups existed at the time. Stone joined with seven independent groups that wanted to form a national organization. The groups consisted of researchers, physicians, caregivers, and other humanitarians. Together, they held their first meeting on December 4, 1979, to discuss solutions for the need for Alzheimer's information and care and a cure for the disease. The Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association was incorporated on April 10, 1980. In that year, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) invested $13 million in Alzheimer's disease research. In 1982, President Ronald Reagan designated the first National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Week. The Association affirms has chapters in communities across the nation, with its home office located in Chicago and a public policy office in Washington, D.C. In January 2023, Joanne Pike succeeded Harry Johns as Association president and CEO, becoming the first woman to hold these positions in the organization's history. ==Events==

Walk to End Alzheimer's Walk to End Alzheimer's Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's is a fundraiser for Alzheimer's care, support, and research. Participants are encouraged to raise critical funds that allow the Alzheimer's Association to provide 24/7 care and support and advance research toward methods of prevention, treatment, and, ultimately, a cure. Walk participants will often carry a flower that symbolizes whether they lost someone to Alzheimer's, are a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer's, have Alzheimer's or support the fight against Alzheimer's. Ride to End Alzheimer's The Alzheimer's Association Ride to End ALZ is a cycling event for fundraising and public awareness about Alzheimer's disease, aimed at occasional cyclists and enthusiasts. ==Publications==

The Alzheimer's Association publishes ''Alzheimer's & Dementia'', an open access and peer-reviewed journal that also provides the research and patient community with a collaborative forum. ==Alzheimer's Impact Movement==

The Alzheimer's Impact Movement (AIM) is a separately incorporated 501(c)(4) advocacy affiliate of the Alzheimer's Association. AIM works to secure policies to overcome Alzheimer's and dementia, including increased investment in research, improved care and support, and development of approaches to reduce the risk of developing dementia. Working at the federal and state level, AIM advances the public policy priorities of the Alzheimer's and dementia community. ==Alzheimer's Impact Movement Advocacy Forum==

The Alzheimer's Impact Movement (AIM) Advocacy Forum is an annual gathering that takes place in the spring in Washington, D.C. The multiday event includes training sessions, celebrity guests, the National Alzheimer's Dinner, and topical presentations focusing on Alzheimer's disease policymaking and legislation. The feature of the event is a lobby day during which volunteer attendees conduct meetings with members of Congress on Capitol Hill. ==References==