Bobby Eddleman is an only child, raised by parents who lived for him. “No matter what, I was the most important person in the room when it came to my mom’s attention growing up,” he says. His mother, Helen, worked alongside his father as a brick mason, laid bricks herself, and later cared for her […]
Read More
Karen Barnes didn’t always speak openly about the emotional toll of her husband Tim’s diagnosis of younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease. But today, she shares her story with honesty and strength—because, as she says, “It’s important to acknowledge the reality of this disease.” That reality is complex and painful, but Karen also radiates hope. She lights up when […]
Read More
Latest research findings continue to offer hope in the understanding, risk, diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. New research results reported at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference® 2025 (AAIC®) in Toronto last week advanced scientific understanding of risk, diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. North Carolina was well represented at […]
Read More
The Alzheimer’s Association is the largest funder of dementia research, and we are seeing tremendous progress in better understanding and helping to treat the disease thanks to this research. North Carolina is home to some of this valuable research happening, including one recent research grant awarded to Nicole Scott-Hewitt, PhD, assistant professor of cell biology […]
Read More
As Lynn Wenger stood at the Promise Garden Ceremony during the Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Iredell Co. & Lake Norman last year, he held a purple flower high—a symbol of someone lost to Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. In that moment, he reflected on how he had come to be there, honoring the […]
Read More
Darrell and Esther Plyter grew up in the same community—Esther on a farm in the countryside and Darrell in town—but they attended the same school and shared a circle of friends in Williamson, N.Y. After graduating high school, they were apart for over a year while Esther pursued secretarial training. Upon her return, they became […]
Read More
Elena Bare first learned about the Alzheimer’s Association in 2022 from a colleague at her job at Wayne-Sanderson Farms in Dobson, N.C. Sadly, this was just two months before her husband passed away from the disease, after living with it for six years. Now, she’s a passionate advocate for raising awareness in rural communities about […]
Read More
By the time J.J. Denison was six years old, he had already witnessed the impact of Alzheimer’s on his family. He had a front-row seat as his mother cared for her father and became his advocate. J.J. joined her on this journey and is now making his own mark—shining a light on the fight against […]
Read More
Imagine a future where Alzheimer’s disease can be prevented or slowed down by simply improving cardiovascular health. This is the groundbreaking potential of a study being conducted in North Carolina. The Alzheimer’s Association has awarded almost $200,000 to a research team at Wake Forest University School of Medicine that is studying how genetic risk factors […]
Read More
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 2025, we’ll be spotlighting a different volunteer from our Western Carolina Chapter each […]
Read More
Alzheimer's Association North Carolina Blog 