This Week's Program was . .
June 16, 2026
Ashley Hendricks, Fundraiser Manager for the Alzheimer's Association of NEO.
Our speaker this week was Ashley Hendricks. The Alzheimer's Association goal is to raise awareness and critical funds for Alzheimer patients, care givers and family members. 1 in 3 people, 65 years old and older are diagnosed with Alzheimer's. It is the most common kind of dementia diagnosed. Ashley and the Alzheimer's Association want people to know that the diagnosis in the early stages is treatable. As of now there is no cure but there certainly are drug therapies and non-drug therapies available to help slow the progression. It is very important to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's, because it is most treatable in the early stages. If you would like to know more about the disease and it's symptoms, visit their website https://www.alz.org/
Recently, in November of 2025, the ASAP ( Alzheimer's Screening and Prevention) Act was passed. This act provides Medicare coverage of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved blood biomarker screening tests, accelerating access to blood biomarker tests and earlier detection of Alzheimer’s and other dementia. This Act allows for early detection, and future test methods approved by the FDA, so beneficiaries do not face unnecessary delays or barriers to detection and treatment. As Ashley stated many times EARLY detection is crucial in the treatment of Alzheimer's. She also stated many times that your General Practitioner (GP) is the best resource for testing and detection of dementia. If you or any family member has concerns about dementia please see your GP as soon as possible, it is treatable in the early stages!
The Alzheimer's Association https://www.alz.org/ provides many resources for Alzheimer's patients, their caregivers and their family members. The Alzheimer's Help Line at 800-272-3900 is a phone line with trained clinicians who can answer any questions or concerns. The Association provides education and support, and Trial Match, where a patient can be matched with a clinical research project that might be a good fit if they choose.
Ashley's main job is Fundraising Manager and there are ways for everyone to help. In September and October of 2026 the Association has the Walk to End Alzheimer's, the worlds largest fundraiser to fight Alzheimer's. There are a few in our area: on September 26th there is a walk in Ashtabula and on October 17th there is a walk at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Visit the website for more details and to register. There is also a Do What You Love to End Alz, which Ashley would help with. Choose what you want to do and create an event to raise money for the Association.
Joining Ashley was Kenzie Smith, Program Manager for the Alzheimer's Association.
Our next meeting is June 23, 2026 in the barn at the Lake County History Center. Our speakers will be Dan Garry, President and Stu Lucker, President Elect. There will be an open discussion about the 2027 fundraiser. Please join the meeting if you can, ideas and plans are needed.
