We are endlessly grateful to our volunteers for giving their time to better the lives of those impacted by Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Our volunteers are truly the heart of the Alzheimer’s Association here in North Carolina.
In honor of National Volunteer Week 2024, we’ll be spotlighting a different volunteer from our Chapter each day. Today we are featuring…
CHERYL JACKSON-OAKLEY, MDiv
CLAYTON, NC
What brought you to volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association?
What brought me to volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association was my wounded heart from losing two aunts to dementia. I say wounded heart because it’s a great concern when you wonder if you could have done more to prolong their condition. As the saying goes, “knowledge is power.” It was this reason that sent me on a quest to become find out more about this dreaded disease. By doing so, I discovered there are various forms of dementia, as well as things that can be done to give the person a better quality of life. It was at this point that I became passionate about helping others.
What volunteer role(s) do you have with the Association?
My volunteer roles with the Alzheimer’s Association are:
1) Community Educator [Volunteer public speakers who provide Alzheimer’s Association education programs to community audiences.] and 2) Faith Outreach Representative [Community engagers within faith communities that raise awareness of Alzheimer’s Association programs, provide basic disease information, and link.].
What do you enjoy most about your volunteer role?
What I enjoy most about my volunteer role is talking to people who may have friends, family or loved ones who are affected by this disease and letting them know that the keys to prolonging the life of the person is awareness, unconditional love and support through the trying times.
What piece of your role do you feel makes the biggest impact?
I believe that the “piece” of my role that makes the biggest impact is my genuine heart and concern about the needs of others, providing awareness and support to the caregivers.
If someone were considering volunteering with the Association, what would you say to them?
If someone was considering volunteering with the Association, I would borrow words from Nike, just do it! I believe there needs to be more compassionate people who are willing to step forward to fight this cause because together, we win! What is the win? The win is, not letting this condition destroy families or caregivers, but bringing them closer together as we support our loved ones through this traumatic journey.
THANK YOU, CHERYL
Volunteers truly help move our mission forward. Interested in becoming a volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association in NC?
Visit alz.org/volunteer or call 800-272-3900.
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