Avon Woman's Alzheimer's Activism A Personal Affair

AVON, CT — Like many folks, Avon resident Erin Mahoney has felt the impact of Alzheimer's disease, which in 2018 took away her mother after a long battle.

But for Mahoney, the disease may have taken her beloved mom, who was 65 when she died, but it didn't take away her drive to combat the illness that inflicted so much pain.

Last month, Mahoney was one of 10 Connecticut volunteers who visited the nation's capital to meet with Connecticut's legislative delegation in Washington, D.C.

The effort was to advocate for increased Alzheimer’s research funding, she said, as well as other important Alzheimer's disease-related legislation.

For example, Mahoney said, one push is for Medicare to cover newly U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved blood biomarker testing that would help in making earlier and easier diagnoses.

She was there representing Connecticut's contingent with the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement, the political arm of the Alzheimer’s Association, which has a Connecticut chapter.

"Our focus and intent is to engage our members of Congress to make Alzheimer’s and related dementia a national priority so we can find better treatments and ultimately a cure, and to support the needs of caregivers," said Mahoney to Patch.

June's AIM Advocacy Forum was the seventh time Mahoney has gone to Washington, doing so each time in memory of her mother.

According to Mahoney, this year's program featured 1,100 volunteers nationally, as well as the 10 from Connecticut.

"Hosted by AIM, the advocacy arm of the Alzheimer’s Association, the Forum is a powerful three-day event focused on turning personal stories into public action," said Mahoney.

On the final day, advocates head to Capitol Hill to meet directly with members of Congress.

"We share our lived experiences with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and we urge lawmakers to support critical legislation and increases in research funding that strengthen the nation’s response to this devastating disease," Mahoney said.

The harsh political divisions in the country these days are not lost on Mahoney, who said Alzheimer's and dementia impact both Democrats and Republicans.

"Alzheimer’s is not a partisan issue. It’s a public health crisis," she said.

"And until we have better treatments, stronger support systems, and - someday - a cure, I’ll continue raising my voice on Capitol Hill and beyond."

Mahoney especially spoke of the importance of a 24/7 free helpline that the Alzheimer’s Association operates. The phone number is 1-800-272-3900.

For more information on the Alzheimer's Impact Movement, click on this link.

For more information on the Connecticut chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, click on this link.