For many, getting involved with the Alzheimer’s Association begins with a desire to help others. For Lindsay Almeida, it began with the courage to face her own loss.
When Lindsay’s father, Charlie, was diagnosed with younger‑onset Alzheimer’s at just 56, her family began an eight‑year journey shaped by heartbreak, uncertainty and resilience. At the time, dementia felt like a storm without a map. “You can’t fight what you don’t know,” she says. Looking back, she now recognizes early signs she once dismissed as quirks or forgetfulness. “It’s amazing the things you just don’t connect,” she reflects. “We relied on the Alzheimer’s Association a lot during this journey, particularly the Helpline, it felt like a friend we could always call.”
Charlie passed away in 2022. The grief was raw and complicated, and for a long time, Lindsay wasn’t sure she could handle getting involved with the Alzheimer’s Association. “I was afraid of reopening a wound I was still trying to heal,” she admits. But when she finally stepped in last year, the opposite happened; something in her shifted. “It’s healed me in ways I wasn’t expecting. It feels like I’m fighting the monster that took him away.”
A Personal Journey Becomes a Public Mission
Today, Lindsay lives in Cary with her two daughters. She speaks openly about her father’s story, sometimes still through tears, but increasingly with strength and purpose. As a real estate professional, she interacts with people during some of the most emotional chapters of their lives. She’s found that Alzheimer’s is something many clients quietly carry with them. When she shares her story, people often open up about their own experiences. That connection, she says, is one of the greatest gifts.
Her involvement in Do What You Love to End ALZ began after learning about the campaign from the Alzheimer’s Association website. She knew that some of her colleagues had also been impacted by Alzheimer’s and wanted to do something meaningful. She held her first fundraising event – Drive Out Alzheimer’s – at Topgolf. “It was fun for all, and we raised some significant funds, plus we provided more awareness about Alzheimer’s and other dementias, as well as the resources and support available through the Alzheimer’s Association.”
Stepping Up as a Leader
As the 2026 Executive Leadership Chair for Do What You Love to End ALZ in North Carolina, Lindsay sees her role as educator and connector – helping people understand the disease and helping them feel less alone. “I want to see more involvement and more education,” she says. “I didn’t know enough when my dad was diagnosed. And you can’t fight what you don’t know.”
She talks about Alzheimer’s everywhere she goes—not to draw sympathy, but to offer a window for others to connect and share. Lindsay understands how isolating dementia can feel, especially for caregivers who carry the emotional load quietly. Her openness creates space for others to talk about what they’re going through, whether it’s fear, sadness, anger, or hope.
And while she leads with humility, her passion is unmistakable. “I think my dad would be so proud,” she says. “This opportunity means so much to me.”
Looking Ahead
Lindsay is excited about the opportunity to help champion the Do What You Love to End ALZ campaign across the state—sharing why the cause matters, encouraging people to participate in ways meaningful to them, and continuing to build the community she wished her family had earlier.
For Lindsay, this work isn’t just service—it’s healing, honoring, and empowering all at once.
If you are looking for a way to fight back against Alzheimer’s and all dementia—or give back by helping other families—consider getting involved as a Do What You Love to End ALZ volunteer here in North Carolina. Simply click below to submit an interest form, or email email Paula Zembal, Do What You Love to End ALZ manager.
JOIN US AND HELP PROVE LOVE CONQUERS ALZ
Do What You Love to End ALZ is more than just a challenge — it’s about people, passion, and possibility. When we show up together, do what we love, and invite others along, we move closer to a world without Alzheimer’s. Get started today!
Do What You Love to End ALZ makes it easy to make a difference. It’s simple, flexible and starts with you — doing something you love and turning it into a fundraiser to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. There’s no limit to what you can do!
Alzheimer's Association North Carolina Blog 