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Texas State Rep. Carol Alvarado (D-Houston) wants everyone to remember that June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month and to go do something about it.
"Today, over six million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's and other dementias," Alvarado tweeted. "This month is a time to raise awareness for those suffering while we work to find a cure."
Alvarado has represented the Texas House District 145 since she was first elected to the seat in 2008, having previously served on the Houston City Council and as Houston Mayor Pro Tem.
The 145th House District includes southeast Houston and parts of Houston Heights, South Houston and Pasadena.
Many events sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association, including the association's Houston & Southeast Texas chapter, are planned this month, when everyone is encouraged to #GoPurple.
Alzheimer's Disease, the most common cause of dementia in older adults, is an irreversible neurological disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, as well as the ability to carry out simple tasks, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The disorder gets its name from Dr. Alois Alzheimer, who first documented its effects in a woman who died from an unusual brain illness in 1906.
Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month is an opportunity to discuss brain health and shed light on a condition that affects mostly elderly Americans and the Alzheimer's Association of Houston & Southeast Texas has a couple of upcoming events.
Alzheimer's Association of Houston & Southeast Texas will be participating in the international's chapter's fundraising event scheduled for the solstice on June 20, "The Longest Day" of the year.
Participants are encouraged to "fight the darkness of Alzheimer's through a fundraising activity of their choice," the Alzheimer's Association says on its website. "Whether you're participating at home, online or in-person, we have plenty of fun ideas to engage family and friends in The Longest Day."
The months-long "Walk to End Alzheimer's," the world's largest event raising awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care, support and research, is already underway, having kicked off on June 4. Multiple walks are planned throughout Texas, including six in the greater Houston area. A date for the 2021 Walk to End Alzheimer's in Houston has not yet been announced but 198 have already signed up to participate and almost $65,000 of the $900,000 goal has been raised so far, according to the Houston chapter's events page on the Alzheimer's Association website.
The Houston chapter, as does the international chapter, hopes for an in-person walk this fall.
"The health and safety of our participants, staff and volunteers remain our top priorities as we make decisions about event details in your community, and we’ll continue to offer options to participate online and in your neighborhood," the Houston Chapter said on the website.
The Houston Chapter also plans a number of virtual seminars this month, including a Veterans and Dementia Symposium on June 18, a Caregiver Conference Living in a Hybrid World on June 24 and a Health & Wellness Beyond a Diagnosis Younger Onset Conference on June 25.