Alzheimer's National Dinner!

Last night we also went to the Alzheimer's Association National Dinner at the Marriott Wardman Park as political, business, philanthropic and advocacy leaders working to end Alzheimer's joined to celebrate advances. We snapped Sen. Debbie Stabenow flanked by former model B. Smith, who lives with and raises awareness for Alzheimer's, and her husband, Dan Gasby; at left, Alzheimer's Association CEO Harry Johns.

Lisa Genova won The Sargent and Eunice Shriver Profiles in Dignity Award for her book turned into a movie starring Julianne Moore, Still Alice. Here, the film's director, Elizabeth Gelfand Stearns, and Lisa are surrounded by Alzheimer's Association Board member Debbie Jones, Zenith Society's Mary Ann Bumgarner, and by Board members Jackie Kouri and Verna Jones Rodwell. 

Today 5.3 million Americans have Alzheimer's. Here, National Institute on Aging's Marie Bernard, Alzheimer's Association Chief Science Officer Dr. Maria Carrillo and NIH's Dr. Richard Hodes.

At the VIP reception: Alzheimer's Association Advocacy Director John Funderburk, Ambassador Scott Russel, who lives with and advocates for a cure for the disease, Board member Carl Turek, and Board Chair Stewart Putnam.

Zenith Society members are the Association's highest level of leadership and philanthropy in Alzheimer's care, advocacy, awareness,and research. Here, Zenith Society's Merv Stucket, Karla Stuckey and Richard Thissen.

Casie Kiel and Liz Ovits contributed to this issue.