Many people here in eastern North Carolina do not realize they have a local resource for Alzheimer’s and dementia information: Alzheimers North Carolina (AlzNC). Having been around for almost 30 years, AlzNC is a statewide organization focusing on education, support and raising awareness about Alzheimer’s and other dementias. One of the major assets of AlzNC, Inc. is that all funds raised in North Carolina stay in North Carolina.

AlzNC’s main office in Raleigh provides a free Helpline, 800-228-8738, for caregivers. In addition and proving its commitment to Eastern NC, AlzNC also has a satellite office in Greenville, located at 300 E. Arlington Blvd., to assist local caregivers.

Changing to AlzNC has benefited our area tremendously, for example:

• Over the last few years, AlzNC has donated more than $100,000 to ECU’s Wooten Laboratory, an Alzheimer’s research foundation created in memory of orthopedic surgeon, Dr. John Wooten, who died of Alzheimer’s disease.
• Over the last two years, an anonymous donor gave $15,000 to help caregivers who need respite in Beaufort County and neighboring counties. These funds are distributed through AlzNC and Mid-East’s Area Agency on Aging. So far this year, 17 local caregivers, who were at their “wit’s end,” have benefited from these funds.

To educate local caregivers, AlzNC joined Mid-East Commission in presenting conferences, such the “Caregiver Education Conference” Sept. 23 at Grace Church in Greenville. Contact Tamyra Jovel at 252-355-0054 or tjovel@alznc.org for more information.

To raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease in the community and to raise funds to be used in eastern North Carolina, Alzheimer’s North Carolina, Inc. hosts the Alzheimer’s Walk and Education Fair on Oct. 8 at the Red Men’s Lodge in Washington. The education fair portion provides free materials and advice from ECU doctors, legal aid and health care professionals.

For more information about AlzNC, visit www.alznc.org.

For more information about the Washington/ Beaufort County Alzheimer’s Walk and Education Fair, call Emily Albera at 252-944-3446 or visit www.alznc.org/washingtonwalk.

To donate to the cause, mail a check to “Alzheimer’s Walk,” C/O Donna Woolard, 100 Blue Bird Lane, Washington 27889.