Self-isolated Alzheimer's Association volunteer champions cause

Nancy Chandler, an Alzheimer’s Association Long Island Chapter volunteer and board member, has continued to advocate for the leading voluntary health organization and non-profit, even while self-quarantined on the other side of the country in Utah. Chandler, a retired internal communications professional who lost her mother to Lewy Body dementia in 2017, has not let the COVID-19 pandemic stop her from supporting the Alzheimer's Impact Movement (AIM), the Alzheimer's Association's sister organization.

AIM advances and develops policies to overcome Alzheimer's disease through increased investment in research, enhanced care and improved support. Its annual Advocacy Forum held in Washington, DC was cancelled due to concerns of Coronavirus spreading. Instead, the 58 year old participated in AIM's virtual advocacy day. She posted on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn and sent emails to Congresspeople Zeldin, Schumer & Gillibrand using AIM’s automated system.

Said Chandler, “So much in the advocacy space is telling your story succinctly, which is the essence of communications. I’ve always had a deep connection of giving back through corporate responsibility but not personally until now. It’s a labor of love now…This is so fulfilling to me, it’s not work or an obligation. It humbles me to meet others who are doing a thousand times more than I am.”

A few years ago, Chandler's sister had reached out to the Alzheimer’s Association to get some advice. The two then started a Yaphank walk team “Mom’s Daughters” for the chapter’s yearly Walk to End Alzheimer’s and have done it ever since. In the last few years, the team ranked in the top five fundraisers. The Southold resident subsequently volunteered for the Walk committee and was later nominated to Walk co-chair.

“I was so inspired by the impact that individual people could have on the behalf of others. I was an advocate for my mother during her illness, and now I’m an advocate for more people.”

Chandler recently became a facilitator for the chapter’s East End support group, which she described as “heartbreaking because I can empathize deeply with their experience, but it’s helped my mourning because I am able to help them and make their journey a little easier. I’ve really, really enjoyed it.”

For more info about the Alzheimer’s Association, visit alz.org. Our free 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900 can help you navigate our programs, events and provide support for anyone living with or caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia.