Mississippi Kayaker Plans 16-Hour Endurance Paddle on Pearl River to Raise Money for Alzheimer’s Research on June 20

Lucy’s Revenge: The Alzheimer’s Paddling Project set to begin promoting additional fundraising opportunities and events across Mississippi.

June 7, 2012. Jackson, MS.—Keith Plunkett began kayaking in 2009 and quickly developed a love of the sport that some would likely say borders on obsession. Since then, he has become an ambassador for the sport in the Magnolia State, paddling rivers across Mississippi and in adjoining states on trips many might find out of the realm of their abilities. But, Plunkett says that it’s not as difficult as some people think.

“I think people hear of me paddling 30, 50 or 100 miles in a kayak and think ‘I could never do that’,” said Plunkett. “But, part of the reason our state is the fattest and most unhealthy region in the country is that we refuse to push the limits of our abilities. We can do much more than we give ourselves credit for, mentally and physically. Most just choose not to believe in themselves enough. We have a crisis of confidence in this state.”

Plunkett began a project in 2010 called Lucy’s Revenge. Through the project he paddled 500 miles and raised $10,000 for the Mississippi Alzheimer’s Association. The project is named in memory of his late grandmother, Lucy Plunkett, who died in 1993 after battling the disease. As a result of his involvement, he now promotes the Alzheimer’s Association programs as Development Director.

“Everything I have accomplished in my life extends from the lessons I learned from my Mamaw,” he said. “Either as a result of the character passed down through my parents, or of seeing her live a life committed to serving others. I want everybody to share in that, because giving a helping hand really is its own reward.”

Plunkett’s latest incarnation of the Lucy’s Revenge project will take him 50 miles in a 16-hour day down the Pearl River for the Alzheimer’s Association’s The Longest Day on June 20. His trip will begin at dawn from a launch around Highway 25 in Leake County, and will end at sunset at Madison Landing on the Ross Barnett Reservoir.

“I have traveled long stretches of up to a hundred miles over the course of a few days, but never this much in a single day,” he says. “This will be a challenge for me. I’m very excited about it. If I don’t have new adventures and challenges on the drawing board I get emotionally numb.”

Plunkett is also considering several other projects, including a history of Mississippi waterways and how they helped the state develop, promoting Lucy’s Revenge kayak races across the state, and an educational project to promote the teaching of Mississippi waterway ecosystems to students. This is all in addition to his work developing relationships across the state to help defeat Alzheimer’s disease.

“I don’t know any other way to live than to do it fully,” says Plunkett. “That’s the example that was set for me, and that’s what God has put in me. I have to share it.”

To give to the Lucy’s Revenge Team for The Longest Day go to:  THIS LINK

MISSISSIPPI KAYAKER CALLS ON PUBLIC OFFICIALS TO SHOW SUPPORT IN FIGHT AGAINST ALZHEIMERS DISEASE

FLORA, MS – Keith Plunkett, Mississippi Paddler and founder of Lucy’s Revenge: The Alzheimer’s Paddling Project made the following statement after the release of the new Facts and Figures report by the Mississippi Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association:

“These new numbers show that Alzheimer’s is going to be a significant challenge to our Medicaid system in Mississippi in the coming years. We are a rural state with a large number of individuals already on the Medicaid rolls; that number is going to increase exponentially in the next 10-20 years. It is irresponsible for public officials to ignore that fact. I issued a challenge last month to those individuals campaigning for public office to give a percentage of the millions they have raised in campaign funds and assist the roughly seven (7) percent of Mississippians who act as caregivers in this state. I stand by that challenge! A gift of a simple one (1) percent from campaign war chests could give the Mississippi Alzheimer’s Association the ability to provide support to hundreds of thousands of Mississippians. The help could also benefit early diagnosis efforts which may reduce costs to the state in the future. I support public officials who want to cut government spending, but they should also lead the way in showing that private sector giving can help solve our most daunting challenges. Political slogans don’t fix real problems, and developing long-term policy is only part of the equation. These are real Mississippi families with real problems that don’t end after the legislative session is gaveled to a close.”

New Mississippi Alzheimer's numbers released today show a worsening problem

NEW REPORT SAYS AS MANY AS 198,000 ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS IN MISSISSIPPI

The Mississippi Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association released the 2011 figures for the state today.

In this year’s Facts and Figures report, we see the number of people with the disease growing and the number of friends and family who care for them significantly more than previously reported. The new report reveals there are more than 198,000 Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers in Mississippi and shedding light on the growing impact of a disease that currently is the sixth-leading cause of death and the only cause of death among the top 10 causes in America without a way to prevent, cure or even slow its progression. In 2010, these caregivers provided over 225 million hours of unpaid care valued at over $2.6 billion. There are an estimated 5.4 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease, including 53,000 living in Mississippi alone.

Most people survive an average of four to eight years after a diagnosis, but many can live as long as 20 years with the disease. This prolonged duration often places increasingly intensive care demands on family members and friends who provide care. Most caregivers are family members who take on a tremendous financial, physical and emotional burden to help care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia.


“Alzheimer’s is a significant threat not only for the nation – but also for the people of Mississippi,” said Patty Dunn, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association Mississippi Chapter. “With a rapidly aging population at increased risk for developing Alzheimer’s and the number of caregivers growing each year, it will become increasingly important for states to be prepared with dementia-capable support services for people at all stages of the disease.”


Alzheimer’s Impact on States


Medicaid covers nursing home care and other long-term care services in the community for individuals who can no longer afford to pay for long-term care expenses. Ensuring access to Medicaid for those who need it must remain a priority for states as they deal with the escalating Alzheimer crisis. Average per-person Medicaid payments for beneficiaries aged 65 and older with Alzheimer’s and other dementias are nine times higher than Medicaid payments for those without the disease. While Medicaid costs are $37 billion today they will climb almost 400 percent by 2050.


At a time when a number of states are facing tremendous budget challenges, the growing Alzheimer’s population will strain state budgets further. Alzheimer’s has profound implications for future state budgets, and states must prepare now to address the multiple and complex challenges that Alzheimer’s poses to individuals, families and state governments, particularly Medicaid.


While only 4 percent of the general population will be admitted to a nursing home by age 80, for people with Alzheimer’s, 75 percent will admitted to a nursing home, posing significant economic challenges to state Medicaid budgets.


More than half of the states in the country have developed or are in the process of developing state plans. These plans will be instrumental in assessing the current impact of Alzheimer’s on Mississippi and outlining what steps Mississippi lawmakers must take in the coming years to improve its services and support to Alzheimer’s families.


“The latest Facts and Figures report shows the significant impact of Alzheimer’s disease – on the individual, the family, and state and federal governments,” said Patty Dunn, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association Mississippi Chapter. “This is why we urge state policymakers to support the progression and further refinement of the Mississippi Alzheimer’s plan which can help to set goals for a broad range of related issues such as state support of research efforts, financing long-term care, expanding dementia-capable home and community based services and other important issues.”


Importance of Early Detection


Increasing evidence suggests that early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and timely intervention is beneficial, both for people with the disease and their caregivers. Early diagnosis allows affected people, relatives and their caregivers to plan for the future, obtain medical care to manage symptoms and optimize function, and assists Alzheimer’s families in taking steps to reduce the risk of accidents requiring further medical care. The new report explores the issue of early detection and outlines the various benefits it provides families, including access to valuable support services and resources and also helping to reduce anxiety among caregivers.  The Alzheimer’s Association helps newly diagnosed individuals and their families. The Mississippi Chapter offers lunch and learn programs including the Know the Ten Signs campaign as well as several family orientation programs.


“The Alzheimer’s Association is committed to increasing awareness about the importance of early detection and diagnosis,” said Patty Dunn, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association Mississippi Chapter. “The Family Orientation Program goal is to work with families in the community and connect them to local resources and services that help them to better understand and manage what Alzheimer’s disease introduces into their lives. This knowledge can not only be empowering but extremely helpful to the whole family.”


Delays in diagnosis mean that individuals are not getting treatment in the earlier stages of the disease when they are most effective. They also miss the opportunity to make legal, financial and care plans.





2011 FF ALZ_MS[1]

WLBT: Kayaker raises money to fight Alzheimer's Disease

JACKSON, MS (WLBT) - Kayaker Keith Plunkett was joined by supporters at St. Dominic Wednesday afternoon to gain support for the "Lucy's Revenge " fundraiser.

Plunkett began paddling across the state last July to help raise money for Alzheimer's Disease. He hopes to attract more paddlers and supporters for the next stretch of his paddling expedition which begins this weekend.

Plunkett says kayaking can be difficult at first, but it gets easier.

"When I started paddling in Mississippi I did 25-30 mile runs and thought I was going to die" said Plunkett. "A month later I did 45 miles from the start of the wolf river all the way down to Bay St. Louis."

For more information about the upcoming kayaking schedule, click here.

Mississippi Paddler Announces Remaining Dates in Alzheimer’s Awareness Tour

Keith Plunkett speaks to the media and an audience of 45-50
in attendance for a morning press conference at
St. Dominic Centre on Wednesday morning, February 16.
Plunkett will complete a year-long journey to paddle
Mississippi waters in July of 2011, amassing 847 miles.

Jackson, MS. February 16, 2011—Mississippi paddler and outdoorsman Keith Plunkett announced today the remaining schedule for a year of paddling Mississippi’s waterways. The effort began in July 2010 on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and has taken Plunkett on 336 miles of state waters that are both popular destinations and underutilized opportunities. During the trips the Yazoo County native and Flora resident continues to tell the stories of Alzheimer’s patients and caregivers in each region, and will highlight ongoing efforts by the Alzheimer’s Association and medical professionals to defeat the disease.

Over the next five months of paddling, Plunkett expects to paddle an additional 539 miles. He will continue speaking with groups across the state to raise awareness, and securing donations for the Mississippi Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. If his plans hold, he will shatter his original goal of 600 miles by 276. Plunkett expects to tally around 876 miles by the time the project finale is held on the Ross Barnett Reservoir.

Plunkett was joined during the 10 am press conference at St. Dominic Centre by St. Dominic President Sister Mary Dorothea Sondgrath, Dr. George Patton, Director of St. Dominic’s St. Catherine’s Village, and Meva Butler Director of Campbell Cove. Campbell Cove is a wing of the facility that deals directly with elderly Alzheimer’s patients.

Plunkett also issued a challenge to political donors in this year of hotly contested campaigns.

“We have just recently seen the latest campaign finance reports from the Secretary of State’s office. If you take just the amount of money raised by the announced candidates for state-wide office alone, it is probably in excess of $8 million,” Plunkett said. “Give me one percent, just one percent, of that for the Alzheimer’s Association through Lucy’s Revenge, and we will begin the ball rolling towards creating a project that seriously helps Mississippi families in need. That is my challenge to those who have given political donations, whether they are companies or individuals.”

Dr. Patton believes with the addition of the Mind Center at University Medical Center, and continued efforts from people to raise money; Mississippi is well positioned to be a leader in Alzheimer’s research.

The new research organization: the Memory Impairment and Neurodegenerative Dementia (MIND) Center has a campaign underway to raise $9 million for the center’s personnel and program costs through private donations.

“UMC also received $26 million in grants for that project,” said Patton. “Dr. Tom Mosley will be the head of that facility, and he is known around the world for his work in the field.”

The Medical Center and four collaborating academic medical centers received the grants from the National Institutes of Health to identify risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of cognitive decline in July of 2010.

Plunkett said he is now looking ahead at ways to continue the project with annual events in one of each of five designated regions across the state.

“The idea is that we can build on the Memory Walk model the Alzheimer’s Association already has in place for annual events to keep the dollars rolling in,” said Plunkett. “I have already spoken with sponsors interested in being a part of that.”

Plunkett added that there is also an economic development and tourism benefit from the promotion of small river towns across the state.

“Some of the very places these events will be held are the ones that need a shot in the arm,” he said. “Not to mention some of these small towns and cities are the backbone of our state’s history.”

Plunkett’s grandmother was Lucy Plunkett. The matriarch of the Plunkett family reared six children, and oversaw the upbringing of 9 grandchildren. She was a housewife and an active member of the rural community of Little Yazoo in Yazoo County.

“I see this project as a symbol of me taking back what Alzheimer’s and Dementia took from her.”

The remaining dates for the Lucy’s Revenge Tour are as follows:

Spring/Summer Dates

Saturday February 19-Monday February 21: 3-day, 2-night trip on the Yalobusha River from Grenada to Greenwood.
52 miles.
Sponsored by Lifehelp Region 6 Mental Health Center-Garden Park Adult Day Center.

Saturday February 26-Sunday February 27: Overnight trip on the Sunflower River in celebration of Sunflower River month from Eagles Nest to New Africa.
20 miles.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Sunflower River.
For more information contact Quapaw Canoe Company in Clarksdale, Mississippi (662)627-4070

Saturday March 12: The second running of the Battle on the Bayou on Old Fort Bayou Ocean Springs. 9.5 miles.
For more information go to http://www.battleonthebayou.com/

Saturday March 19: Coldwater River.
Mileage TBD
Highlighting the conservation efforts of the Upper Coldwater River Watershed.
For more information go to http://www.coldwatertrail.org/

Saturday March 26-Sunday March 27: Overnight on the Mississippi River Muddy Waters Wilderness.
100 miles. Quapaw Landing to Warfield Point.
Sponsored by Quapaw Canoe Company
For more information contact Quapaw Canoe Company in Clarksdale, Mississippi (662)627-4070

Saturday April 16-Sunday April 27: Overnight on Bogue Chitto River.
27 miles. McComb to Dillon Bridge

Saturday April 23-Sunday April 24: Overnight on Bayou Pierre
50 miles. Dentville to Port Gibson

Saturday April 30-Sunday May 1: Overnight on the Yazoo River
43 miles. Satartia to Steele Bayou.

Saturday May 7-Sunday May 8: Overnight on the Homochitto River
36 miles. Eddiceton to Rosetta

Friday May 13-Sunday May 15: Overnights on the Leaf River
64 miles. Taylorsville to Old River Road

Saturday May 21-Sunday May 22: Overnight on the Red Creek
45.5 miles. Perkinston to Vestry

Saturday June 4-Sunday June 5: Overnight on Bear Creek
23 miles. Golden to Hwy 30.

Saturday June 11: Day trip on Chunky River
10 miles. Stucky Bridge to Enterprise

Saturday June 18-Sunday June 19: Overnight on the Bowie River.
26.5 miles. Highway 589 to Leaf River at Hattiesburg

Saturday July 2: Day Trip on the Pearl River
20 miles. Lefleurs Bluff through Jackson to Byram at the Swinging Bridge

Saturday July 9: Finale at the Ross Barnett Reservoir
13 miles. Tommy’s Trading Post to Madison Landing

Total Mileage for Spring/Summer Dates: 539.5 miles

Total Mileage since July of 2010: 336.5 miles

Grand Total Goal: 876 miles

Been there. Done that. Here is the T-shirt. . . and cap!

As promised here's the merchandise for Lucy's Revenge: The Alzheimer's Paddling Project, and just in time for Christmas. All proceeds go directly to the Mississippi Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, and are put to use supporting caregivers in Mississippi.

Caregiver's need your help. You need a t-shirt and cap. And, we want your money for the project. It's a win, win, win!

It's guaranteed to work better than mistletoe!

Order by clicking HERE

Lucy’s Revenge Closes in on $10K, Breaks 300 Miles in Alzheimer’s Fundraising Effort

Mississippi Paddler asks East Mississippi health care officials and residents for help.

Flora, MS. October 19, 2010—Keith Plunkett, Mississippi paddler and organizer of Lucy’s Revenge, has paddled over 300 miles in the yearlong effort to raise money for and awareness of Alzheimer’s Disease on Mississippi waterways. Joining a group of eight other kayakers on October 16, Plunkett launched from Bell Fontaine Point in Ocean Springs in route across the Mississippi Sound to Horn Island. Plunkett says he was driven to paddle a few extra miles while out on the island in order to be sure he met the 300-mile mark by the time the group may landfall to end the trip.

“South Coast Paddling Company and Mississippi Gulf Coast residents have been a huge help to the project on the coast and I wanted to be sure and hit this milestone there,” said Plunkett. “The Horn Island trip was a South Coast Paddling sponsored trip, so they did all the planning. I hadn’t mapped it before hand, and I wanted to be sure I got the mileage in.”

With that worry in mind, Plunkett awoke on the west end of Horn Island on Sunday morning and decided to put in a few extra miles before joining back up with the group. Paddling south of the island to Buoy 1 at Dog Keys Pass, he added an extra 6.6 miles, and had some unexpected but welcome company on the way back to the island.

“The first buoy is a little over 3 miles south of the island out into the open Gulf,” said Plunkett. “It was a little nerve wracking to look back and see Horn Island as a little speck behind me. I felt pretty small and vulnerable out there. But on the way back I got an escort from about 8 to 10 bottlenose dolphin, and that helped calm my nerves. They are beautiful animals.”

When Plunkett landed again at Bell Fontaine Point on Sunday afternoon he had logged another 29.5 miles bringing his totals for the project to 305.8.

The Flora resident began kayaking just over a year ago and says he wasn’t around the water much as a child, but is growing more confident in his paddling ability every day.

“In mid-July I thought I had reached the far reaches of my distance for a weekend paddling trip when Sharon and I floated a 45 mile trip on the Wolf River. Less than two months later we kayaked over 86 miles from Shubuta to Leaksville on the Chickasawhay River. About a week ago, I paddled in the Ninth Annual Phatwater Challenge on the Mississippi River. On that trip I managed to paddle nearly the same mileage that had taken me a full three days only three months earlier, and I did it in less than 6 hours. My ability and confidence has grown by leaps and bounds.”

Plunkett kicked off a yearlong effort to paddle over 600 miles of Mississippi waterways in July on the Gulf Coast. A goal he says he now expects to exceed by the projects end date in June 2011. He began focusing on waterways in the East Mississippi Region in September, but due to drought conditions and interest from other parts of the state he’s not done as much in the area as hoped.

“East Mississippi has many of the jewels of our state’s paddling waterways,” he said. “I really need some more help from East Mississippi, and some sponsors to step forward. This disease knows no boundaries. I know there are people and caregivers there that need the support, and I want to be there.”

So far, Plunkett has been on the coastal waterways of Old Fort Bayou, Davis Bayou, Wolf River, Escatawpa River and the Pascagoula River. He has paddled sections of the Pearl River, Strong River and Mississippi River. He and wife Sharon also completed an 86-mile trip on the Chickasawhay River in East Mississippi on Labor Day Weekend. Plunkett has raised $8,600 for the Mississippi Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association since July while paddling through 14 Mississippi counties.

Stories, videos, and photos are posted to the website, www.lucysrevenge.com . General Donations and Sponsorship Opportunities links on the website connect donors directly to the Alzheimer’s Association website.

The project is named in memory of Plunkett’s Grandmother, Lucy Plunkett, who suffered from Alzheimer’s before succumbing to the disease in 1993. The matriarch of the Plunkett family reared six children, and oversaw the upbringing of 9 grandchildren. She was a housewife and an active member of her church and the rural community of Little Yazoo in Yazoo County.

Thanks to Ashlee Clapper, Lynn Boykin and Girl Scout Troop 5375 for the Strong River of Memories.

I am incredibly behind on posting Trip Logs, and editing photos and video. I have recently downloaded some software for video editing. Provided I can figure that product out, I will have something more than the raw footage of some of the trips to post. At the very least I should be able to get some slideshows up soon. With respect to my Trip Logs; I have a few, but even the ones that are complete could use another edit.

Yes. I am behind schedule--story of my life!

Keith Plunkett and Ashlee Clapper

But, I had to take a time out here to say a big thanks to Lynn Boykin and her Girl Scout Troop 5375 for helping out with the project. Ashlee Clapper (I kept calling her Ashlee Cooper, Sorry Ashlee) is one of her girls who needed to put together a project for her Silver Award. I am extremely grateful that she picked Lucy's Revenge as her outside project. Ashlee managed to get the largest number of paddlers we have ever had for a paddle for her project called Strong River of Memories. Also participating were parents, siblings, and both the Development Director and Executive Director of the Mississippi Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.




Now that's a good looking group of paddlers!



It was a beautiful day, a beautiful river and a beautiful group.

More to come. . . eventually.

Thanks,
Keith.

Alzheimer's Support from IP: $10,000 for Gulf Coast Memory Walk

The Alzheimer’s Association Gulf Coast Memory Walk has
received a show of support in the form of a $10,000 sponsorship
from the IP Casino Resort Spa. The contribution marks the first
of its size for the Walk and is demonstrated in the larger than
life-sized check that is displayed by, from left, Sara Murphy
and Ian MacDonald, both of the Alzheimer’s Association;
Cindi Braud, 2010 Gulf Coast Memory Walk ambassador; Jon Braud;
Patty Dunn, Alzheimer’s Association executive director; and
Elaine Stevens, IP public relations manager.

A presentation at the Alzheimer’s Association Mississippi Chapter office in Ridgeland Sept. 7 demonstrated a show of support from IP Casino Resort Spa as the company joins in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. The support came in the form of a $10,000 donation designated for the upcoming Gulf Coast Memory Walk set for Nov. 13 in Biloxi.


Motivation for the support stemmed from a diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer’s. When Cindi Braud, an IP casino host, and her husband Jon shared his diagnosis, the company immediately made plans to work with the couple.

According to Cindi and Jon, “We are very excited to work with the Alzheimer’s Association and look forward to promoting awareness for this disease. In addition, we are overwhelmed by the support IP Casino has given us and are forever grateful to IP for their commitment to Alzheimer’s awareness.” Cindi is serving as the 2010 Gulf Coast Memory Walk Ambassador.

"IP always takes care of its own, and Cindi Braud is a vital part of the IP family. When we discovered her husband Jon was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s, IP’s partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association was a given. We are proud to support Cindi, Jon and the many thousands of others impacted by this dreaded disease,” said Elaine Stevens, IP public relations manager.

In accepting the donation, Patty Dunn, the chapter’s executive director, said, “We welcome this generous show of support in our efforts to enhance the care and support for those affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is an escalating public health crisis that has far-reaching effects on individuals, families and businesses. This donation from IP Casino Resort Spa represents the beginning of a partnership to increase concern and awareness for Alzheimer’s disease and the efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association.”

On hand for the check-presenting occasion were Ms. Stevens, Cindi Braud, Jon Braud, and Tina Cantrell, executive casino host. Representing the Mississippi Chapter Alzheimer’s Association were Ms. Dunn, Sara Murphy and Ian MacDonald.

Ms. Dunn pointed out that every 70 seconds someone develops Alzheimer’s disease, and in Mississippi, it is estimated that 53,000 individuals are living with Alzheimer’s disease.

ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION LAUNCHES TRIALMATCH. A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND CLINICAL TRIAL MATCHING SERVICE IN ALZHEIMER’S

Alzheimer’s Association TrialMatchTM Connects People with Alzheimer’s with Potentially Life-Altering Clinical Studies

July 12, 2010, Ridgeland, MS – The Alzheimer’s Association announced today the launch of Alzheimer’s Association TrialMatchTM, a confidential and free tool that provides comprehensive clinical trial information and an individualized trial matching service for people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

The Internet (www.alz.org/TrialMatch) and phone-based (800-272-3900) service debuted during the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2010 International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease (ICAD) in Honolulu, HI.

As many as 5.3 million Americans are living with the disease, and every 70 seconds someone in America develops Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2010 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures.

“Alzheimer’s disease is reaching epidemic proportions with devastating impact on families, and the potential to wreck Medicare, Medicaid and the health care system,” said William Thies, PhD, chief medical and scientific officer at the Alzheimer’s Association. “The immediate need for advances in diagnosis, treatment and prevention has led to an unprecedented need for clinical study participants. This, combined with challenges specific to recruitment and retention of participants with Alzheimer’s, has created a particularly difficult situation for the field. That’s why the Alzheimer’s Association has launched Alzheimer’s Association TrialMatch.”

Recruiting and retaining participants for clinical studies is one of the greatest obstacles to developing the next generation of Alzheimer’s treatments, according to the National Institute on Aging.

“We’re looking to physicians to play a leadership role in referring their patients to clinical trials in Alzheimer’s and dementia,” said Marilyn Albert, PhD, professor of neurology at Johns Hopkins and director of the Division of Cognitive Neuroscience. “As healthcare professionals, there is more we can do to help our patients post-diagnosis. By referring our current patients to trials, we offer access to potential cutting-edge treatments while unlocking the door to potentially more widely available treatments for people with Alzheimer’s in the future.”

No treatments are available to slow or stop the brain cell deterioration that occurs with Alzheimer’s. However, more than 100 clinical studies in Alzheimer’s and dementia are currently taking place and dozens more experimental compounds are moving from the laboratory to clinical testing.

“Families affected by Alzheimer’s need better diagnostic and treatment options now, and the lack of participants in clinical studies is a significant public health issue,” Dr. Thies said. “Alzheimer’s Association TrialMatch is a powerful and user-friendly tool for people with Alzheimer’s, their healthcare professionals, caregivers, and healthy volunteers to learn about and take part in cutting-edge research going on right now. By volunteering for clinical studies, people with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers can play a more active role in their own treatment while also contributing to scientific discovery and benefiting future generations. It is public service in the best possible sense.”

Alzheimer’s Association TrialMatch is a “dementia friendlier” service than others in this space, with Web and phone support, specially trained staff, and tools developed with input from people with Alzheimer’s.

The strength of this Web- and national 800 line-based service is that Alzheimer’s Association TrialMatch contains a comprehensive, constantly updated database of institutional review board-approved Alzheimer’s, mild cognitive impairment and other dementia trials taking place across the U.S. Specialists at the Alzheimer’s Association’s national Contact Center – available 24-hours a day – assist in the process of matching individuals to clinical trials for which they are eligible based on study inclusion/exclusion criteria, diagnosis, treatment history and location. The technology and platform for Alzheimer’s Association TrialMatch is provided by EmergingMed.

Alzheimer’s Association Contact Center specialists will not recommend any particular clinical trial but will describe all studies for which the person is eligible. They will answer questions about the trial process and connect individuals with trial sites based on their unique profile. Patients and caregivers will be encouraged to share their trial matches with their healthcare professionals to help decide whether a clinical trial is appropriate.

Alzheimer’s Association TrialMatch can be accessed at www.alz.org/TrialMatch or by calling toll-free, (800) 272-3900.

The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research, with a vision of a world without Alzheimer’s. The 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. For more information, visit www.alz.org.

It's just now becomes "official," but she's been UNofficially working for several months

Patty Dunn has been recognized for her role as the new executive director of Alzheimer's Mississippi. But despite what the news blurb would lead you to believe, she's been on the job for a while now. Patty, along with development director Ian Macdonald, has played a key role in helping us get Lucy's Revenge off the ground. Congratulations on being recognized, Patty . . . even if it is a little late.

Resident tapped to lead Alzheimer's group

Brandon resident Patty Dunn is the new executive director of Alzheimer's Mississippi.

Dunn officially took the post as the chapter opened its new Ridgeland office.

Patty has served as the chapter's state operations director for the past five years. She earned a bachelor's in accounting from Texas Christian University and a master's in business administration from Millsaps College.

Rankin County Ledger

New Programming at the new offices of the Alzheimer’s Association-MS Chapter

The new offices of the Alzheimer’s Association-Mississippi Chapter at 196 Charmant Place, Suite 4, in Ridgeland will be the site for a variety of programs beginning in July.

A new support group will be meeting the first Wednesday of the month starting July 7 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Facility staff training workshops begin July 22. Two-hour sessions will include tips on communication and behavior as well as creative activities for those with dementia. Participants can sign up for a morning 9 to 11 session or an afternoon 1 to 3 p.m. time.

An interactive workshop entitled “Nourish Your Noggin” or ways to maintain the brain through nutrition, exercise and an overall healthy lifestyle is set for Friday, Aug. 6, beginning at 9 a.m.

“Plans call for train-the-trainer sessions in the future,” said Sara Murphy, outreach coordinator. “This will be an opportunity to learn about available programs and be trained to deliver them in local communities. We will also be conducting family orientation sessions each quarter, beginning July 21. Interested persons can call the chapter at 601-987-0020 or e-mail us at sara.murphy2@alz.org to sign up and reserve a seat.”

The orientations are designed for families of recently diagnosed individuals and for those individuals in the community who would like to know more about what information and resources the chapter can provide. Orientation covers a brief overview of the disease, discussion of the first steps to take after receiving a diagnosis and what resources are useful in the community.

There are no charges to attend the programs.

Mississippi Hospital Association