Photo Credit: YouTube
(SAN RAMON, CA.) – The San Ramon City Council officially designated June as Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month during its meeting on June 23.
Vice Mayor Marisol Rubio was color-coordinated with the Alzheimer's Association volunteers, who were all proudly wearing purple—the official color of the Alzheimer’s movement.
Rubio provided facts and statistics regarding Alzheimer’s. “Today more than 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease,” she said. “There are currently 719,700 people aged 65 or older living with Alzheimer’s in the state of California, representing 12% of the population in that age group.”
Video Credit: YouTube
Accepting the award was advocate with the Alzheimer’s Association Sahaana Vasudevan. An incoming senior at California High School in San Ramon, she shared her experiences as a long-time volunteer. “Over the past few years, I’ve spent more than 400 hours volunteering in memory care communities, where I’ve seen how Alzheimer’s and other dementias impact not only individuals but entire families. Those experiences have shown me awareness, early support, and continued research.”
Next to speak was San Ramon resident Dawn L Jones, who is currently on the planning committee for the East Bay Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Jones informed the council that “this year the walk is taking place on Saturday, October 17 in Bishop Ranch at 2700 Camino Ramon.” Jones wanted to raise awareness for what she calls “a wonderful event,” and hopes residents will show support and raise funds during this event.
Councilman Sridhar Verose thanked the group for their efforts. “It’s very important that we bring education, services, and also support so that we can continue to take care of these seniors who are getting hit with Alzheimer’s issues,” he said.
Rubio has a very personal connection with the disease and shared how her father had Alzheimer’s. “It’s one of the hardest things to see your loved ones fade away over time.”
Rubio extended her gratitude to the group and also wanted them to know “I’m a resource for you and would love to support you in any way that I can, because as a caregiver myself, brain health is something that I think all too often we ignore and neglect, and it’s something that we should actually prioritize more and more.”
The Vice Mayor wasn’t the only one with personal ties to the condition. Mayor Mark Armstrong shared, “My wife and I have walked a couple times in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s here in San Ramon…Both of our mothers had severe dementia and passed away in the last 3 years. So it’s very personal to us.”
The proclamation ended with Mayor Armstrong motioning for everyone in attendance to give the group a round of applause.
Throughout June, the Alzheimer’s Association encourages the public to take action and join the fight to end Alzheimer’s. Anyone at any age is invited to take charge of their brain health.
For those interested in learning more or becoming a volunteer, please visit: alz.org.
If you have any questions or comments, please email me at kathleen.p@lead4earth.org or comment below.
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