​On January 30th, my husband Scott moved into a memory care center. Scott stayed at this center in September, for respite, so the setting was familiar and the staff knew him. Even a couple of the residents recognized him.

He was excited to move, even sometimes thinking he had a new job. He has thanked me a few times for finding him "This great job!”

The decision for placement was made for & by both of us, for our health and safety. Even knowing it was the best and right choice, our decision is surrounded by heartache and adjustments. I mourn what could have been and fear the next stage of this cruel disease that is stealing my husband and best friend.

​The other day was a beautiful day of sunshine and warmth. I took Scott for a drive, and a walk in the park. Scott said we made a great choice to do this move. Tears welled in my eyes. He said, "There are people just like me, who know about my work". 

I am doing good because Scott is happy... for now. I can breathe again, and I am no longer afraid.
That is not to say there hasn’t been a problem here and there, almost every day there is something. And I realize that he may not continue being happy...but we will deal with that when it happens.
 For now, I will continue to get strong again, to handle whatever this disease decides to throw at us.

I wanted to share this “next leg of our journey” and ask that you continue to keep us and all the others affected by Alzheimer’s/dementia in your prayers.

​(Philadelphia, PA) - Beneath the amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles that are the hallmark pathological features of Alzheimer's disease, is another, lesser-known anomaly: the almost complete absence of adult neurogenesis, the process by which new neurons form in the developed brain. Thought to serve a critical role in maintaining memory and learning ability, little is actually known about the significance of reduced adult neurogenesis in Alzheimer's disease. Now, scientists at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University have a chance to find out, thanks to a $100,000 gift from Stop Alzheimer's Now, a non-profit organization dedicated to eradicating Alzheimer's disease.

There are currently 5.7 million Americans and 47 million people worldwide living with Alzheimer’s. That’s expected to increase by 116 percent in high-income countries between 2015 and 2050, and as much as 264 percent in lower-middle and low-income countries during that time period.
Alzheimer’s is the costliest disease in the United States. Its annual raw expense is more than $270 billion but the toll it takes on patients and caregivers alike is incalculable. A substantial reason that Alzheimer’s doesn’t cost more is thanks to the 16.1 million unpaid caregivers who’ve taken on the management of their loved ones’ disease. This selfless task saves the nation more than $232 billion annually.
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One in every 10 Americans aged 65 or older is living with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia. Two-thirds of those affected are women. The average life span after diagnosis for someone with Alzheimer’s is 4 to 8 years. However, depending on several factors, this could be as long as 20 years. As the disease progresses, each day presents more challenges, expenses, and strain on caregivers. These primary or secondary caregivers often take on the role for reasons that range from duty to cost.

Overwhelming and inconvenient truths of Alzheimer’s disease

​Building on their momentum after raising over $13,000 during their third annual Twin Cities walk, Stop Alzheimer’s Now hit the ground running in Kansas City, Missouri, after walking 50 miles over a three-day span earlier this month. Led by founder Shaun McDuffee, the event saw nine walkers—including North Star CEO Ed Deutschlander and Dr. Russell Swerdlow of the KU Alzheimer’s Research Center—and raised just under $20,000 between the walk efforts, social media, and an event for KC Walk Efforts, which also occurred that weekend.
 
Along their walk routes, the team honored those battling the disease, exhausted caregivers, loved ones in need of strength, and of course, Stop Alzheimer’s Now founder Shaun McDuffee—who saw both of his grandmothers succumb to the illness, along with both his parents, who passed away in 2016 roughly a month apart from each other.
 
The group’s journey started on Wednesday, October 3 at the Indian Creek Trail in Hampton Park, and ended on day one in Foxhill South Park. On Thursday, October 4, the group covered more ground, trekking from the KU Clinical Research Center to Minor Park. On the third day, the team walked from Bush Creek Parkway to Marlborough Park.

The third annual Stop Alzheimer’s Now Walk & Fundraising event in the Twin Cities shattered its initial $5,000 fundraising goal, making it a tremendous success for all those who participated and were involved in its organization. Led by North Star Senior Vice President Shaun McDuffee, the walk raised $13,620 (after initial donations were matched by the Scott Richards North Star Charitable Foundation).
 
The walk occurred on Saturday, July 21, and had over 30 walkers participate, which began at Kelley Park in Apple Valley, Minnesota. The walk was followed by a reception at Panino Brothers (also in Apple Valley), where a fundraising event titled “Ales for Awareness” occurred that featured food and drink specials, raffle prizes, and a silent auction.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Stop Alzheimer's Now, led by North Star Senior Vice President & Founder of the Non-Profit organization Shaun McDuffee, completed their 3rd Annual Walk & Fundraising Event in the Twin Cities. The Event, which took place on Saturday, July 21st raised over  $13,500.00 for Alzheimer's research.

​The Non-Profit group is planning a 60 Mile Walk & Fundraising Event to take place in Kansas City October 3rd - 6th, 2018. 

MINNEAPOLIS, MN—Stop Alzheimer’s Now, led by North Star Senior Vice President Shaun McDuffee, will once again be hosting their 3rd Annual Walk & Fundraising Event in the Twin Cities. The event, which will take place on Saturday, July 21st, has a fundraising goal of $5,000.
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​Founded in 2013 by McDuffee, Stop Alzheimer’s Now (SAN) is a non-profit organization committed to walking a total of 3,652 miles across each state in the U.S. to raise both awareness and funds for a cure for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. McDuffee and a group of fellow North Star advisors, leaders and team members have completed 13 walks to date, totaling 908 miles in 15 states. With an ultimate goal of eradicating Alzheimer’s disease by 2020, SAN strives to serve as a resource for both those suffering from the disease and their loved ones.

​The Lewis Katz School of Medicine created the Alzheimer’s Center at Temple from funds donated by Board of Trustees member Phil Richards earlier this month.
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Richards’s gift created the center and established the Scott Richards North Star Charitable Foundation Chair for Alzheimer’s Research. Dr. Domenico Practicò, a pharmacology professor, will be the new chair and director of the center.

Temple med school gets gift for Alzheimer's center

John George  – Senior Reporter, Philadelphia Business Journal
Mar 14, 2018
The Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University is creating an Alzheimer's Center thanks to a donation.

The exact amount of what is being described as a "seven-figure" gift from Phil Richards and the Scott Richards North Star Charitable Foundation is being kept confidential.
Phil Richards, a Fox School of Business alum, who now sits on Temple's board of trustees. He is also chairman of the charitable foundation.
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The money will be used to create the Alzheimer's Center at Temple and to establish the Scott Richards North Star Charitable Foundation Chair for Alzheimer’s Research at its medical school.
Dr. Domenico Praticò was selected as the first person to hold that title. Praticò is a professor of pharmacology, microbiology and immunology in Temple's Center of Translational Medicine.
“This strategic investment will pay dividends not just to Temple, but to society – well beyond our lifetimes – funding cutting-edge basic science research, clinical studies, and innovative educational programs for new generations of researchers," said Dr. Larry R. Kaiser, president and CEO of the Temple University Health System and dean of the medical school, in a prepared statement.