For Walter Nowicki, the earliest sign of his mother’s cognitive decline came during a cherished family ritual: playing cards. His parents, lifelong New Jersey residents, loved poker and blackjack. Every visit to Winston-Salem, NC with their grandsons, Robert and Michael, began with a deck of cards and a game for pennies. “It was a ritual,” […]
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By Sarah Osment Brian Garrison’s parents, Allen and Linda, had lived in his childhood home in Morganton, North Carolina, since he and his brother, Keith, were young. “They were first loves in a faithful marriage of 53 years,” said Brian. His dad was called to serve in Vietnam, where he earned a Purple Heart. When […]
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Alzheimer’s advocates from across North Carolina continue to drive meaningful progress on both state and federal policy priorities. Their dedication has strengthened legislative momentum and expanded access to critical resources for individuals living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Below is a snapshot of the Alzheimer’s Association’s recent advocacy efforts in North Carolina, which are shaping […]
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When Janet Long’s mother, Elaine, began showing signs of memory loss, it was easy to chalk it up to aging. Janet’s father was battling cancer so they were preoccupied with his care. Following his passing, they noticed that Elaine’s occasional lapses were turning into more frequent confusion, and she was getting lost on familiar routes. […]
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Lynn lost both her parents to Alzheimer’s disease, leaving only her and her brother, Joe. But just a few years after their mother passed, Joe received the same devastating diagnosis. Once again, Lynn found herself on another Alzheimer’s journey—what she describes as “losing your family before you lose them.” Her commitment to raising funds to […]
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When Dr. Veronica Williams reflects on her earliest childhood memories, they are filled with the warmth and wisdom of her maternal grandmother, Rebecca. Growing up in Georgia, Veronica spent countless days at her grandmother’s side, soaking in lessons about farm life, southern traditions, and unconditional love. “As the oldest in my family, I got to […]
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By Sarah Osment Alzheimer’s is not a stranger in my household. Growing up, I remember 15-minute car rides with my Nanny, Lillian Lacy, where she would comment, “The corn sure is getting high,” no less than 15 times. (My parents live near Mennonite farms.) I remember the emotions of moving my grandparents to a home […]
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We are hosting some fun kickoff events to welcome and inspire you this Walk to End Alzheimer’s season! Whether it’s your first time participating or you’re a seasoned pro, we invite you to connect with other Team Captains, learn about our fundraising tools, pick up Walk supplies and get motivated to help us have the […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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Alzheimer's Association North Carolina Blog 