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…
KAROLANNE TROGDON
WAYNESVILLE, NC
What brought you to volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association?
As a Speech-Language Pathologist who has been around this disease for years in skilled nursing facilities, I see the impact Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia can have quite frequently. This is part of my why. After losing my grandfather to Alzheimer’s, a fire was lit under me to do more. Though he always remembered who we were, we lost who Paw. Paw. truly was long before his final days. My why… is more time! More Sunday lunches. Jokes from the man who gave us side stitches. Bowling with BLTs and golf with oatmeal cookies, a “pack o nabs”, and sweet tea! More time to travel and never get lost thanks to his trusty atlas. Mowing days with his solar powered fan hat. Recliner naps while ‘watching’ tv. Firm handshakes for anyone he met. More tight hugs for his granddaughters. More good morning, I’ll be back in a jiffy, “yehoooo” I’m home, and goodnight kisses for Maw. Maw. Mornings reading the funny papers, having coffee, and eating cereal or oatmeal. More late-night popcorn and peanut butter snacks. I could go on and on!
Just like many others, we waded through a challenging two+ year diagnosis process, losing precious time to act and potentially treat, while he was in the Mild Cognitive Impairment phase. Once we had a formal diagnosis, we were given a pat on the back and told to come back in 6 months, offered no support or “where to go from here” material, and provided with limited information about future cognitive decline and ways to help at home or in any other environment. Thankfully, my education and profession allowed me to share some tips with my grandmother, who put her very active life on hold as Paw. Paw. began to require more attention and support at home. What about people who don’t have access to any extra support? I watched the memory regression through two windows: speech therapist with knowledge of how this disease progresses with reckless abandon and robs everyone of time and memories… and as a granddaughter just wanting to hold on to who her Paw. Paw. was!! This had me asking many questions and trying to determine how I could do more. WHAT IF – diagnosing Alzheimer’s was more streamlined and accompanied by next steps – follow up was timely – there was better support – prevention was prioritized – treatments were equitable, accessible, affordable? What if… and how can I help?
What volunteer role(s) do you have with the Association?
I have a few roles with the Alzheimer’s Association. I have participated in The Longest Day in NC for 7 years, and this year I not only joined the committee but am serving as the NC Community Outreach Chair as well. Over the last 12 years, I have participated in Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Raleigh, Greensboro, and Asheville. I joined the committee for the Triangle Walk in 2019 and after relocating to western NC, joined the Asheville Walk committee in 2023 as the Community Engagement Chair. This role (for TLD and WTEA) allows me to reach out to local communities to let them know about the Alzheimer’s Association and their outreach via educational programs, caregiver support, 24/7 call support, etc. In this role, I get to work with local businesses and participants by providing ideas for getting involved as well as assisting with fundraising efforts.
My other volunteer efforts include joining in advocacy work and am now also an ambassador in Western NC. This role allows me to work with other advocates to encourage policymakers to adapt and support the legislature as we continue to push for coverage of research, clinical and long-term care and public awareness, and the importance of healthy aging and risk reduction. This work also ensures scientists can continue to advance basic disease knowledge, explore ways to reduce risk, uncover new biomarkers for early diagnosis and drug targeting, and develop new treatments. Advocating and sharing my story with our representatives allows me to put a face and story to some of our bills and asks as they come across desks.
What do you enjoy most about your volunteer role?
It truly makes my heart happy when I get to meet other people who are as passionate about supporting this cause and finding a cure to end this terrible disease as I am. Volunteering has allowed me to meet so many people who have stood in the same shoes and have knowledge and experiences to offer as we go into our communities to support others through their journey. Helping people realize they are not alone and hearing other “WHY” stories make these volunteer roles and the time spent so worth it! It’s not for the recognition… it’s for the connections and being able to support others through their experience with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
What piece of your role do you feel makes the biggest impact?
Community engagement and getting the word out about the Alzheimer’s Association and all they have to offer, is my biggest goal. I often feel as though people don’t know the resources the Alzheimer’s Association has – tons of information about Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, educational programs, clinicians available 24/7 for support, information about new treatments and developments, support groups and local resources… the list goes on. While this is a time that can be very overwhelming and challenging, there is so much the Alzheimer’s Association can do to help while navigating the waters during a diagnosis and throughout the entire process of this disease. All to say… I think using my story to connect with people is the most influential part of what I do as a volunteer.
If someone were considering volunteering with the Association, what would you say to them?
Quite simply… DO IT! Find a way to volunteer that will fill your cup. No matter what you’re good at or how much/little time you have to offer, there is always a way you can contribute. Are you good with spreadsheets or minutes – help keep us on track as we move through our fundraising and community outreach. Prefer to be hands-on – help us with the day of event set-up and break down of events. Like to chat – help us make calls and reach out to previous and new participants for events. Good at trivia – host a trivia night at a local spot to raise funds for the association. Musician – put on a show and collect money for research and caregiver support. Know a lot of folks – help us connect with people who may not be in our immediate network. Like to do art – use your talent to fundraise and promote awareness by selling or wearing your items. Are you a baker – make and sell your goodies to contribute in that way. Want to tell your story – join as we advocate for a different future. The options are endless, and we’d love to have you as part of our volunteer community. We need all the help we can get as we continue to push the needle forward and passionately work toward a cure to ENDALZ!
THANK YOU, KAROLANNE
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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