Bonnie Carroll's Life Bites

ALZHEIMER’S WOMEN’S INITIATIVE 2023 INSPIRE LUNCHEON RETURNS WITH PADDLES UP RAISING FUNDS & AWARENESS

The Alzheimer’s Association California Central Coast Chapter hosted its sixth Alzheimer’s Women’s Initiative Inspire Luncheon: Your Brain Matters, at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. The ballroom entry was filled with friends, supporters, staff, and guests who enjoyed a pre-luncheon social time, accompanied by music by the Jazz Mandala quartet. Alzheimer’s Association staff members from San Luis Obispo provided tables filled with a treasure trove of valuable information on Alzheimer’s resources for caregivers, friends, and family members.

The long-awaited event featured award-winning actress Jane

Seymour as keynote speaker, and her Art To Wear Jane Seymour Designs attracted a crowd at the entrance to the ballroom, including friend Rona Barrett, Rona Barrett Foundation. Andrew Firestone, Principal and Founder of StonePark Capital, a locally based hospitality firm, was a charming master of ceremonies and lead one wild auction that raised a ruckus and brought in some big donations.

Alzheimer’s Association Senior Director of Scientific Programs and Outreach Claire Sexton gave a phenomenal presentation on lifestyle changes to reduce risk of dementia, as well as bevy of valuable information on current research and new treatments for Alzheimer’s expected on the horizon. She discussed new treatments to diagnose this illness and that now blood tests are successful for diagnosis. “The future is bright, these new tests will revolutionize diagnosis in the future,” she said.

Gerd Jordano spoke of the sadness of losing a dear friend to Alzheimer’s and that it inspired her to learn everything she could about this disease, and that it was the impetus that brought her to become a co-founder of Alzheimer’s Women’s Initiative in 2012 with Anne Towbes, after being invited to by the former executive director of the Central Coast Chapter. Jordano and Towbes began asking women who had caring experience and others who were women in the community focused on philanthropy to help. She also honored and applauded Lady Ridley Tree for her support of Alzheimer’s over the years. “I was so inspired by Lady Ridley Tree’s generosity and determination to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s, and it made me want to do more,” said Jordano.

Jane Seymour shared “I’ve been passionately involved with the worlds of dementia and Alzheimer’s.” “These are diagnoses that touch most people in some form and deserve more of a spotlight, which is why I’ve chosen to support the Alzheimer’s Association through this luncheon.” From the podium she talked of the film she produced and starred in “Ruby’s Choice” the story of a grandmother with Alzheimer’s. “The film drives home that the person with this disease does not know anything is wrong and can’t be the person they were. Portraying this character gave her an intimate understanding and it opened my eyes to what every caretaker goes through, and I recommend anyone going through this to see the film,” she said.

Tony Gonzales gave a very touching and inspiring family testimonial on discovering at 46 that he was ill but didn’t know what it was. He then learned he has MCI and early onset dementia. Gonzales said his family began to intervene when he was repeating himself and had no idea it was happening, He worked with UCLA and UCSF, but his insurance did not view his activity as typical Alzheimer’s. He says he is alive today due to the care of his wife of 25 years who is a special education teacher who through research and care introduced techniques that are helping. “The women in my life have made me strong and I know I still have much to do.”

At their first luncheon in Santa Barbara nearly ten years ago, Jordano asked the audience of nearly 500 people how many of them had family members or loved ones diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Almost every hand in the room went up. “I was surprised to see so many people affected by this tragic disease right here in our community,” Jordano said. Sadly, the annual luncheon took a halt after its fifth event in 2018 and is returning for the first time in four years, with Jordano and Towbes as honorary co-chairs.

AWI committee continues its mission to help educate the community about the disease and find ways to help raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Association California Central Coast Chapter. Funds raised by Inspire Luncheon will further the Alzheimer’s Association’s mission of ending Alzheimer’s and all other dementia by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.

According to co-founder and honorary 2023 co-chair Anne Smith

Towbes “the one thing none of us wants to lose is our independence, and Alzheimer’s can happen to any of us at any time.” “The Alzheimer’s Association can help patients, caregivers and family members with information and encouragement on how to continue to live a positive and purpose-filled life for as long as possible.” Towbes was named 2012 Santa Barbara Woman of the Year, and VNA Hospice Mother of 2008 and is an Ambassador and Council member of UCSB's Arts and Lectures, and trustee of the UCSB Foundation.

The Luncheon was coordinated by Katina Zaninovich, Board Chair and AWI Committee Chair, and her hardworking committee: Sue Adams, Linda Alderman, Leigh Cashman, Carole East, Carol Fell, Gabriella Garcia, Rhonda Henderson, Penny Jenkins, Lauren Katz, Roseanne Masi Marquis, Robin Sonner, Betsy Turner and Mary Werft.

Generous sponsors for this year’s event included Linda Alderman, COX, Gerd & Peter Jordano, Union Bank, Village Properties, VNA Health and Katina Zaninovich. Thank you also to our Caregiver Table Sponsors: Montecito Bank & Trust, Oak Cottage of Santa Barbara Memory Care and Peter Martin Storybooks. Additional recognition to our Supporting Sponsors: Casa Dorinda, Paul Cashman - State Farm Insurance, Home Choices for Mom and Dad, Quinn Fiduciary Services, Radius Group - The Golis Team, Santa Barbara Estate Planning & Elder Law, Anne Towbes, Tri-County Produce, Betsy Turner/Straus Family Foundation, and UCLA Health. Lastly, thank you to our Giving Sponsors: Caring Together Santa Barbara County, Cottage Health, Covenant Living at the Samarkand, Dr. Gabriella Garcia & Fernando Garcia, First American Title Company, Hennessey Inc., Hospice of Santa Barbara, Lauren Katz, Lompoc Valley Medical Center, and San Luis Wealth - Brad Goodwin & Luke Kittinger.

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research, where they lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Their vision is a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. To learn more, visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.