ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION GALA IS ‘PURE IMAGINATION’
‘Imagination Ball’ Promises a Night of Inspiration
On the evening of March 27th, the Del Mar Country Club in Rancho Santa Fe will be transformed into a world of pure imagination as the Alzheimer’s Association welcomes supporters to honor the important work of its San Diego / Imperial Chapter.
For the thousands of people who have or will have Alzheimer’s but have yet to show symptoms, the Association’s services will be critical to enhancing their quality of life, and if they are successful, have contributed to the ultimate goal of finding a cure. “The Imagination Ball represents a chance for the Alzheimer’s Association to celebrate the strides we’ve made in research and caregiving as well as the promotion of healthy living, while acknowledging the importance and increased need for funding and awareness,” Katie Croskrey, the chapter’s executive director shared with GB Magazine.
GreatCall, a leader in connected health for active aging with health and safety solutions for older adults and their family caregivers, will be recognized for its important contributions to the Alzheimer’s community. “GreatCall’s mission of meaningful work is what originally led us to the Alzheimer’s Association,” says David Inns, GreatCall CEO. “What keeps us involved is the organization’s commitment to a world without Alzheimer’s disease. The entire GreatCall team, from our headquarters to our Caring Centers and throughout Best Buy Health, is deeply appreciative of being honored as the first honoree at the Imagination Ball. We come to work every day to help save lives – to enable older adults to live more independently and safely, all while giving their family caregivers peace of mind. Working with the Alzheimer’s Association to support research and awareness is the center of what gives our work meaning.”
Karen Wilder, the wife and primary caregiver for her husband, the greatly loved actor Gene Wilder, who passed away from Alzheimer’s in 2016, will also be recognized for her work as a volunteer building concern and awareness of the disease. “There’s another particularly cruel aspect to the disease of Alzheimer’s, because in addition to destroying – piece by piece – the one who’s stricken with it, it ravages the life of the person caring for them,” Karen says. “I am grateful that I knew to reach out for help from the Alzheimer’s Association.”
The gala will feature a Willy Wonka-inspired theme with live and silent auctions, and dancing to live music by the popular band Atomic Groove.
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Its mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Their vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. There are more than 60,000 people living with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia in San Diego and Imperial Counties. Add to that the number of family members and other caregivers who face the daily challenges of helping those with the disease, and the number surpasses 180,000. These are the people the Alzheimer’s Association San Diego /Imperial Chapter serves.
All money raised at this year’s event will fund educational programs, support groups and research in San Diego and Imperial Counties. For information about the Imagination Ball, go to www.alz.org/sandiego.
