Arizona Gives Day – April 1, 2025
As we enter Spring, I am reminded of our wonderful opportunities to enjoy the beautiful and unique Arizona outdoors. In doing so, we are nurturing our connection with nature and stimulating our brain cells.
It is difficult to imagine a time when we may be unable to enjoy these precious moments, but it’s not an unrealistic scenario. What if one day the person you hold so dear cannot even enjoy our beautiful outdoors? Or remember your name? Or what if that should happen to you?
Unfortunately, 11% of people over 65 have Alzheimer’s. That’s over six million Americans. When I started this work over 30 years ago, hardly anyone knew the word “Alzheimer’s.” Nowadays, almost everyone has been touched by it.
For many people, it’s their parents. The backbone of their families. They unite the family and teach their love and culture. Please read this short letter from our friend, Jenny:
“Alfred, my father, was a hard-working man. It was his goal to provide for his family and come home to be a father. Therefore, it was devastating for us when he could no longer recognize the kids he once held in his arms. My father changed from a respected man to an adult child, no longer able to eat on his own.
One of the hardest parts was that he shared no recollection of his 30-year marriage, no memories of his 6 kids nor his grandchildren. When he passed, it was as though our family had already mourned. We felt like we were living with a dead man.”
Jenny’s words are unfortunately all too familiar for many of us. Alzheimer’s takes the most precious thing from a family. It removes parts of their identity. The disease that takes the lives of nearly 500,000 people a year, unfortunately, has no cure.
But with your help, the Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation (ARPF) can fund more research studies and develop techniques to slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s. We can fund enhanced educational programs based on the 4 Pillars of Alzheimer’s Prevention to help individuals reduce their risk factors for this terrible illness.
When you donate and support ARPF during Arizona Gives Day on April 1st, you know you are really making a difference! About 93 cents of each dollar spent goes to research and programs to fight for families like Jenny’s.
We need your help. Please donate on Arizona Gives Day and help improve the lives of all Arizonans by supporting AZ nonprofits.
Thank you for your tax-deductible contribution.
Yours in Brain Health,
Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D.
President / Medical Director
