Our guests today were our speaker Larry Gentry and Frank Mwinyelle who was a guest of club president Matt Ruppert. We welcomed back Ben Fellows and Ron Knies, both back after summers away from Arizona.
Sharon Stinard announced that the Community Alliance Against Family Abuse (CAAFA) is gearing up for the annual fundraiser. Located in Apache Junction, CAAFA is the only domestic violence shelter in northern Pinal County and eastern Maricopa County. The event will be held at Dolce Vita on Saturday, October 17. The theme will be, “the Giddy Up Gala,” with western attire, trick roper entertainment, live band, and awards for the best western outfit. See Sharon for tickets and/or sponsorship information.
Bryant Powell commended Mike Cowan on his presentation to the City Council for the second annual Ranch Rodeo, which is coming up on Saturday, October 24. Council approved the liquor license for the event. Mike will provide additional details and flyers next week.
President Matt Rupert informed us of a breakfast and speaking event to be held Friday, September 18, at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn and Resort in Scottsdale. The event is hosted by the Institute for Transformation. Rotary is the honorary partner for the event and all club members are invited as special guests. Some of the speakers include Navy Seal Mike Day and Robert Vera, bestselling author.
The Golf Committee will be meeting after the group meeting.
Saturday, October 10, from 8:30 to noon, committee chairs and members are invited to a tri-district event about growing the club. Cost is $10 per person, and will be held at the Four Points Sheraton at I-10 and Elliot. Members need to register on the district website, but will pay at the door.
November 19-22 will be the USA-Mexico Friendship Conference and Global Grants Exchange in Sedona at the Sky Ranch Lodge. More information is available on the district newsletter.
Matt also informed us that Past District Governor John Van Houten passed away last week. He was 95 years old and a Rotary legend.
The drawing was worth $147 today. Gene Anderson won $10 but drew the 6 of spades so the pot continues to grow.
President Matt Rupert introduced our speaker, Larry Gentry, Chairman of the Board for the Desert Southwest Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. The Alzheimer’s Association provides free services to Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, their families, and caregivers.
Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in the USA. In its final stages, Alzheimer’s and dementia cause the body to shut down; essentially, the body “forgets” how to perform involuntary actions like swallowing and breathing. Of the top six causes of death, Alzheimer’s is the only one that cannot be prevented or even slowed.
Right now, there are 5.2 million people in the United States with Alzheimers. By the time the last of the baby-boomer generation hits age 65 (the average age at which patients are diagnosed), there will be an estimated 15 million cases, which will easily overwhelm and bankrupt Medicare. This fact increases the urgency with which the association works to educate and inform our public officials and the private sector, while striving to secure funding for essential research needed to find a way to cure, prevent, and/or slow down the progress of the disease.
In addition to research, the Alzheimer’s Association provides support for those who have been diagnosed with the disease as well as care groups for family members and caregivers. There are more than 80 active support groups in Arizona. The association also provides counselors at no cost who will come to the house, meet with the family, and help them find doctors, caregivers, and support services.
A few years ago, researchers discovered the protein that, in excess, causes Alzheimer’s. Doctors were excited because they knew they could bring those protein levels down. Unfortunately, the drug therapy that brought the protein levels under control did not reverse or even slow the progression of the disease. The discovery made it possible for doctors to diagnose Alzheimer’s without an autopsy; however, the medical community does not yet know how to do anything about it.
Interesting facts:
Arizona is the 3rd fastest growing state for the number of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s
More than two-thirds of diagnosed Alzheimer’s patients are female
If you have diabetes, you are 4-5 times more likely to get Alzheimer’s
People who have had severe head injuries are 4-5 times more likely to get Alzheimer’s
100% of children with Down’s Syndrome, if they live long enough, will develop Alzheimer’s; this fact led researchers to the discovery of the protein, because the extra gene that causes Down’s Syndrome is the gene that produces the protein that causes Alzheimer’s
Two years ago, the national congress made Alzheimer’s a national health priority, which opens doors to funding
Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death, but the 10th in funding on research
Matt offered to donate the $125 speaker fee to the Alzheimer’s Association. XXX has already signed up to participate in the Phoenix Walk to End Alzheimer’s on November 14, 2015, so Larry requested that the club pledge the amount to him to support his effort. All funds raised by walkers will go directly to the Alzheimer’s Association.
