Alzheimer's Association®

Maritza Buitrago’s father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in his mid-60s. Not long after, both of her maternal grandparents were also diagnosed. What followed was a deeply emotional and transformative caregiving experience. Maritza first connected with the Alzheimer’s Association after a friend invited her to a local education program. That small gesture opened the door to a world of support, knowledge and community. Today, Maritza serves as a local board member, driven by a mission to uplift others navigating the challenges of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Her work supports the Association’s efforts in education, advocacy, research, and — most importantly — caregiver support. One of the moments she treasures most is hearing that something she shared helped another family. Recently, she’s had the opportunity to connect with Latino communities through bilingual videos and support groups. Maritza’s journey is a powerful reminder that no one should face Alzheimer’s alone — and that every act of service, no matter how small, can ripple outward in meaningful ways. #HispanicHeritageMonth

New data from the TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 2 long-term extension (LTE) study show that donanemab provided increasing benefits over 3 years—especially when treatment began in the earlier stages of Alzheimer’s disease, reinforcing that early diagnosis and treatment matter. While clinical trials are critical, real-world data are also essential to understand how treatments perform in everyday practice. That’s why the Alzheimer’s Association created ALZ-NET, a voluntary provider-enrolled patient network that collects real-world clinical and safety data on new treatments to advance research, improve health equity and patient care, and inform dementia treatment practices. Read more: http://bit.ly/472CoU9

During #HealthLiteracyMonth, we want to help you make decisions about your health and the health of those you care about. These positive, everyday actions can help reduce your risk of cognitive decline and possibly Alzheimer's and dementia: alz.org/healthyhabits.

☕ Today on #InternationalCoffeeDay, we raise our mugs to all coffee aficionados who stand with us in the fight to #ENDALZ! 💜

From coast to coast, more than 100 communities showed their purple this weekend as thousands of participants and volunteers came together for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. 💜 Thank you for joining the world's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care, support and research! Let’s keep the momentum going — over 100 more Walks are happening this coming weekend. With new treatment breakthroughs, there's never been a more important time to join or start a team at alz.org/walk.

Did you know that your heart and brain are connected? Adopting heart-healthy habits, like regular exercise, controlling your blood pressure, and maintaining a healthy weight are good for your ❤️ and your 🧠. Learn more healthy habits for your brain at alz.org/healthyhabits. #WorldHeartDay

Volunteering can be a healing experience, especially when you’re honoring someone you love. In 2023, Marcelino Benito lost his mother, Nancy, to the disease. “My mom and I were super close, and losing her has been the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through.” After his mother passed, Marcelino took time to grieve and reflect. That’s when he made a powerful decision: to turn his pain into purpose. Just eight months after his mother’s death, he joined the board of his local chapter, driven by two simple but profound words — For Mom. “I volunteer to honor her memory, to make her proud, and to help other families feel less alone,” Marcelino says. As an anchor and reporter at KHOU 11 News, he’s found meaningful ways to use his voice and platform to raise awareness and advocate for change. “Being involved in the fight to end this disease has truly been the best form of therapy for me,” he explains. “It’s a way to connect with others who understand what I went through and a way to push for a world where no more families have to travel the same path.” Marcelino’s impact has already been felt. He’s emceed several Walk to End Alzheimer’s events and taken his advocacy to Washington, D.C. “Being surrounded by thousands of people in purple, passionate about this cause, was awe-inspiring.” Over the next few months, Marcelino will be working to encourage his fellow Texans to vote “YES” on Proposition 14 in November to fund the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT). This will allocate $3 billion over 10 years for dementia research, creating the largest state-funded dementia research program in the country. “I can’t wait to do what I can to make sure voters know how important this initiative is.” Marcelino’s journey is a testament to the power of community, advocacy and love. Join him by becoming a volunteer at alz.org/volunteer. 💜 #HispanicHeritageMonth

Today, on National Sons Day, we honor sons across the country who are turning love into action in the fight to end Alzheimer’s. One of those sons is Mike Hickman, whose journey began when his father was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2009. Caregiving from afar, Mike did what he could — visiting every few months, calling regularly and eventually rallying his siblings to help support their mother who was his father’s primary caregiver. His father died in 2010, but the impact of that experience stayed with Mike. After losing his father to the disease, Mike took action and became an AIM advocate, joining a passionate community working to improve dementia care and advance research. He’s since attended state advocacy days and traveled to Washington, D.C. for the AIM Advocacy Forum. Mike now shares what he’s learned with others, becoming a trusted resource among friends and family. “I always say, ‘I’m not an expert, but here’s what I’ve seen.’” His advocacy has even led him to take steps for his own health, choosing to get tested to better understand his own memory challenges. “I wanted to lead by example,” Mike said. “If I do have it, I can get treated and — who knows — maybe live long enough to beat it.” We thank Mike and all sons who are fighting to #ENDALZ with courage, compassion and determination. Your voices matter and your stories inspire. Thank you! 💜 #NationalSonsDay

To every son walking alongside a loved one affected by Alzheimer’s — today we honor you. Your care and commitment to our mission are making a lasting impact. #NationalSonsDay 💜

Addressing dementia requires a united effort across the global health community, and this is an important step. We're proud to be part of this effort and look forward to working together toward meaningful change.