Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter
620 South 76th Street, Suite 160
Milwaukee, WI 53214
NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
MILWAUKEE, WI
PERMIT NO. 437
Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter
Winter 2012–2013
C H A L L E N G E M AT C H
alz.org/sewi
Support our Vision – A World Without Alzheimer’s
Donate Today to the Challenge Match for
Alzheimer’s Support – Envelope Enclosed
24/7 Helpline 800.272.3900
Reach us anytime to ask questions, get help,
find support
DOUBLE THE IMPACT
OF YOUR DONATION
$50
BECOMES
$100
$100
BECOMES
$200
$150
BECOMES
$300
This Powerful Match Allows
Us to Reach More Individuals
Your gift can go twice as far
in the fight against Alzheimer’s.
INSIDE
• LEARN HOW $50 CAN GROW TO $100
• WHAT YOUR GIFT BUYS AND THE IMPACT YOU MAKE
Donate today to the Challenge
Match for Alzheimer’s Support!
We are grateful that a wonderful group of friends has stepped
forward by pledging to match and double new and increased gifts
made to the Alzheimer’s Association up to a total of $200,000.
This is a unique opportunity for you to make a difference! Make
a gift today and your tax-deductible donation of $50 can double
in value and become $100. A gift of $100 can become $200. Any
amount you give can be worth twice as much in the fight against
Alzheimer’s disease.
Use the enclosed envelope and make your gift today!
Kay and Peter Lettenberger have been
Champions for the Alzheimer’s Association for
many years. These long-time friends who each
lost a spouse to the disease, found a wonderful
new life together as husband and wife. Kay’s
brother-in-law, Fred Ruekert, currently struggles
with Alzheimer’s. A strong desire to make a
significant and lasting contribution to the mission
led Kay and Peter, along with the Lettenberger/
Pierson families, to be the founding members of
the Challenge Match for Alzheimer’s Support.
“The Alzheimer’s Association was my lifeline
when my family first encountered Alzheimer’s
disease in 1993,” said Kay. “Today, people
desperately need information and support more
than ever before, and Peter and I have seen the
Chapter provide this. It is essential to help people
cope with the disease. This is the Alzheimer’s
Association’s mission, and we firmly believe that
the Challenge Match will guarantee its success for
years to come.”
Challenge Match founders Kay and Peter Lettenberger with Fred Ruekert (center)
“Today, people desperately need information
and support more than ever before...”
research
The Alzheimer’s
Association has
made a significant
investment in research
happening right here
in Wisconsin.
Help Us Double Our Impact
W
“We need to raise money to put an end to
this disease,” said Jamie Makkos, a vibrant
young professional who learned about the
harsh realities of Alzheimer’s disease the
hard way. Seven years ago, her 55-year-old
father, Tom, was diagnosed in the prime of
life with Alzheimer’s.
It was a game-changer for the entire family.
Tom and his wife, Mary, had planned to
travel significantly. But as Tom’s abilities
declined, Mary became a full-time
caregiver. She turned to the Alzheimer’s
Association for information, education
classes and support. “Caregiving is very
stressful,” said Mary. “When God was
passing out the patience, I should have
asked for a little more.”
“My dad is so young,” said Jamie. “He hasn’t
been able to experience things. We hope he
can one day enjoy my wedding, but he may
never know my children.” That sentiment
is something Kelly Strauss, Jamie’s sister,
can relate to. “My dad isn’t able to enjoy my
three small children,” said Kelly. “ He can’t
babysit, feed them or hold them.”
“Caregiving is very stressful.”
The family, while devastated, has decided
to turn this cruel twist of fate into an
opportunity to end Alzheimer’s disease for
future generations. Over the past several
years, they have become advocates for
Alzheimer’s research and support and have
raised more than $26,000 through annual
family-run bowling tournaments and the
Walk to End Alzheimer’s®.
Join this Southeastern Wisconsin
family in their mission to end
Alzheimer’s. By donating today, your
new or increased contribution will be
doubled. That represents a significant
return on your investment! Use the
enclosed envelope, call our office at
414.479.8800, or email [email protected]
to make your contribution.
Pushing Science for Answers
J
Judy Gunkel is a strong supporter of TrialMatch™, the Alzheimer’s Association’s free, confidential
tool that provides interactive clinical trial information and connects persons with dementia and
their family members, with current research trials in their local area. The program also relies on
the participation of healthy individuals with or without a family history of Alzheimer’s. “My mom,
Beverly, died from Alzheimer’s disease,” said Judy. “In addition, I watched most of my father’s
siblings decline with Alzheimer’s disease—three aunts and one uncle.”
Through TrialMatch Judy was identified as an eligible participant for an 18-month clinical trial
conducted at the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center located at the VA Hospital in Madison.
“TrialMatch allows an individual or family to be informed of the types of research being
conducted,” said Judy. TrialMatch has clearly become an
important tool to identify research participants and increase
the chances that someday we will end Alzheimer’s disease.
The Alzheimer’s Association has made a significant
investment in research happening right here in
Wisconsin. You can double your impact and
continue this important work by making a new
or increased gift to the Annual Fund now!
It’s easy to contribute—just use the enclosed
envelope. For more information call our office
at 414.479.8800 or email [email protected].
Judy Gunkel, TrialMatch participant, and Dr. Piero Antuono,
researcher and faculty member at the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s
Disease Research Center and Medical College of Wisconsin.
• $100 enables four people
to participate in caregiver
support groups.
• $150 pays for five
individuals to attend
a Family Caregiver
Conference.
• $250 funds our 24/7
Helpline assistance and
information packages for
10 families.
• $500 pays for six families
to receive ongoing
assessment, one-on-one
consultation and support.
• $1,000 enrolls 20
individuals with
Alzheimer’s disease or a
related type of dementia
in the Medic Alert +
Safe Return program
and provides them
with identification
products.
• $1,500 funds
information and
activity sessions
for 80 low-income
and underserved
individuals.
Scaling the Caregiver’s Mountain
W
When Brian Hegwood’s mother, Gladys, was diagnosed with vascular dementia,
he didn’t know where to turn for assistance. A referral from the family physician
led Brian to the Alzheimer’s Association. “I called the 24/7 Helpline,” said Brian.
“The person I talked to was so understanding. I wanted to know about dementia and
how to deal with different situations. I also wanted to talk about how to get over the
feelings of shame my father and I were dealing with.”
“The people I met understood what I was going through.”
To further assist Brian as a family caregiver, the 24/7 Helpline information and
referral specialist linked him up to The Savvy Caregiver, a six week education
program offered by the Alzheimer’s Association. There Brian learned many skills,
Tom and Mary Makkos (center) are surrounded by their
children and grandchildren on Thanksgiving Day.
including how to take care of himself physically and emotionally, and met other
folks in the same situation. “The people I met understood what I was going through,”
said Brian. “That made me feel like I had climbed to the top of Mount Everest!”
Your generous gifts fuel our 24/7 Helpline, along with caregiver education
programs and support groups. These lifeline services help individuals like Brian
in times of their greatest need.
All new or increased gifts will be doubled through the Challenge Match
for Alzheimer’s Support, so please make your generous donation today!
Simply use the enclosed envelope, call our office at 414.479.8800 or email
[email protected] to make your contribution.
education and support