Alzheimer's Association - Northern California and Northern Nevada

04/24/2026

Three cheers for our chapter advocacy champion and board member, Melissa. It's entirely appropriate to acknowledge her efforts especially during National Week.

Melissa Wos has been raising her voice as an advocate for over a decade. Her advocacy began in 2014, a year after her mother was diagnosed with dementia. Sadly, this was an all too common diagnosis for Melissa’s family. “Alzheimer’s has deeply scarred my family. As of today, thirteen women in my family have been diagnosed with some form of dementia.”

After her mother’s diagnosis in 2013, Melissa, her wife Carrie and her mother participated in their local Walk to End Alzheimer’s. A year later, Melissa was ready to step up her commitment to the cause. “I realized I needed to do more. I contacted the Association to find out how to deepen my impact, and that is when I became an advocate.”

Melissa lost her mother in 2021. Today, she channels her pain into action. “Advocacy allows me to speak about my mother and honor the amazing human she was. By sharing my story, I can paint a clear picture of how horrific Alzheimer’s truly is, turning my personal grief into public awareness.”

Melissa has made her voice heard in her home state of Florida and in Washington, D.C., at the AIM Advocacy Forum. “You feel the weight of the difference you are making. For me, the most rewarding moments are the tangible ones, seeing the specific bills we have fought for finally pass into law.”

Advocates like Melissa are the reason we’ve seen Congress invest historic levels of funding in Alzheimer’s and dementia research. Their stories keep the needs of those impacted by Alzheimer’s and other dementia a national priority.

Curious about becoming an advocate yourself? Melissa has some words of encouragement: “You don’t have to be a perfect orator, and you don’t have to be stoic. These are real moments with real people. Advocacy allows you to use your unique story to impact the future and help build a world without Alzheimer's.”

Join Melissa and become an advocate today ➡️ alz.org/advocacy

04/23/2026

Honoring Memory, Strengthening Support - The 20th Annual Chinese Alzheimer’s Forum (Presented in )

This forum brings together physicians, researchers, and family members to share knowledge about the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, advances in brain health research, and voices from the caregiving journey. We invite you to join us as we work to build a support network that is more able to look out for one another. Your participation is where change begins.

Date: Saturday, April 25
Time: 5:30 p.m. –7:00 p.m. (PT)
Format: Zoom Webinar

Register: tinyurl.com/4uavb39f

04/23/2026

Standing with the Alzheimer’s and dementia community means taking action where it matters most.

By cosponsoring the bipartisan , we can remove barriers to simple, accessible blood tests that detect Alzheimer’s earlier when treatment and planning can make the greatest difference.

The urgency is clear. Alzheimer’s cases, costs, and deaths are all rising, impacting millions of families across the country and placing growing strain on our healthcare system.

We have the science. We have the opportunity. Now we need the policy to match. Together, with Alzheimer's Association - Northern California and Northern Nevada, we can ensure earlier detection, better care, and more time for those affected.

FAIRFIELD — Percy lives with his daughter in Williams.

04/23/2026

It's Thursday of National Week and we're so very thankful!

Today we're shining the spotlight on our North Bay volunteer, Paulette Litz! Through her networking, she was able to create a regional partnerhsip with a popular gym chain for a successful for education and fundraising campaign. Also, she most recently helped make the Caring for the Community Forum in Napa a resounding success. Paulette has been an incredible champion for and caregiver‑focused legislation (she's traveled to Washington, DC) and has strengthened our education programs by building connections with strategic community partners. She doesn't stop there. With boundless energy, she inspired her local gym (which grew to region-wide participation) to demonstrate its commitment to brain health and risk reduction while raising critical awareness and funds.

Let's give a round of applause to our North Bay volunteer, Paulette!

04/22/2026

Do you live or work near Lincoln? We're having an in-person free educational Advancing the Science: The Latest in and Research event on April 29 at 12 noon. Please register: tinyurl.com/ASDR0426

04/22/2026

We're heading into the home stretch during National Week!

Today we spotlight our volunteer that serves our Central Valley community, Karen Medinna Ramos! Karen began her journey as a Community Educator in 2025 and quickly discovered a deep passion for serving her community, growing into a confident and impactful community presenter. A recent Cal State Fresno graduate, she is an aspiring neurologist. She has delivered presentations to hundreds and is committed to becoming a compassionate physician. As a Full Mission volunteer, dedicated fundraiser, and walk committee member, Karen continues to make a meaningful difference by supporting others and advancing the organization’s mission.

Kudos to our Central Valley volunteer, Karen!

04/22/2026

Happy Appreciation continues! We're so very honored and privileged to work alongside our thousands of volunteers.

04/21/2026

For National Week, we focus on a blog of a daughter & niece's caregiver journey which has led to impactful volunteer experience, including providing a statement to California state legislators. Thank you, Sharon, for sharing your wisdom: https://bit.ly/428YiSk

04/21/2026

As the size of the U.S. population age 65+ continues to grow, so will the number of Americans living with the disease. Share the facts to support the over 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s. alz.org/facts

04/21/2026

Woot-woot - we're so excited that it's National Week!

Today we're focusing on the extraordinary efforts of our Sacramento area volunteer, Linda Martin. Linda has always supported the 's Association and our office specifically through her advocacy efforts(she's represented us in Washington, DC) and community representative at awareness and educational events (she's also active on social media). In addition, she has been engaged with our - Sacramento committee and fundraising for her team. Recently, she has added community educator to her volunteer resume. Linda's warm, kind and vivacious spirit and smile is always welcome.

Let's give a round of applause for our Sacramento volunteer, Linda!

04/20/2026

Have you considered taking an disease educational course? Well, there's nothing like the present to register. We have courses this week, offered in English and in Spanish. Register by calling 1-800-272-2900 or visit alz.org/crf

04/20/2026

It's finally here - National Week - YIPPEE!

This fine Monday morning we're highlighting our illustrious volunteer from the South Bay, Charlie Niemeyer. For more than two decades, Charlie has served our community and constituents as a community educator and support group facilitator. Charlie credits her love for working with older adults to her grandmother and spent time as a young adult volunteering for Meals on Wheels and with a family caring for someone with . She has done so much for our community