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alzheimers Meet the passionate team of leaders raising money for Alzheimer's research + care in Alabama—how to get involved — The Executive Leadership Team of Birmingham is dedicated to fighting Alzheimer’s. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

As someone whose family has been affected by Alzheimer’s disease, I understand its many challenges. As the most common form of dementia, it likely impacts someone in your life.

In Alabama, a team of leaders is partnering with the Alzheimer’s Association to support research and care for patients. Read on to meet the 2024 Executive Leadership Team, learn about last year’s top fundraiser and find out how you can get involved.

How the team supports Alzheimer’s research + care

Two years ago, the Alzheimer’s Association Alabama chapter assembled its first Executive Leadership Team to participate in a friendly fundraising competition with one goal—to raise as much money as possible leading up to the Heart of Alabama Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

Here’s what the team’s nine-month commitment consists of:

Committing to a personal fundraising goal of $2,500+
Fundraising through their own companies
Participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s fundraising competition
Securing other companies as sponsors

2024 Executive Leadership Team

2024 ELT PostGraphic Meet the passionate team of leaders raising money for Alzheimer's research + care in Alabama—how to get involved

Meet the 2024 Executive Leadership Team:

David George, retired nonprofit executive
Michelle Lorino, STERIS
Dan Parker, Medical Properties Trust
Paul Yeager, Marathon Financial Group
Kimberly Stephens, Domit Investment Group
Janine Bevelle, RFG Advisory

The top fundraiser will be named the 2024 Walk Champion of the Year. We can’t wait to see what they accomplish this year!

Meet Paul Yeager, 2023 Walk Champion

Alzheimers Association 100 Meet the passionate team of leaders raising money for Alzheimer's research + care in Alabama—how to get involved — Paul Yeager was the top fundraiser of 2023. (Alzheimer’s Association)

Last year, the top fundraiser for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s was Paul Yeager, who raised nearly $37,000 with the help of colleagues and local sponsorships.

We caught up with Paul to talk about his outstanding fundraising efforts and personal connection to the disease.

“About four or five years ago we noticed my dad’s memory fading. It started with him asking the same questions and repeating himself. About two years later, we finally convinced him to get a brain scan and the doctors confirmed that he was in stage two—borderline stage three—of dementia.

One of my goals is to remove the stigma around talking about Alzheimer’s. Before I got involved with the Alzheimer’s Association, I never mentioned my dad’s condition to anyone. It’s incredible to find out the number of people who are impacted in some way.”
Paul Yeager, Alzheimer’s Association Executive Team Member + 2023 Walk Champion

With his mission in mind, Paul set out to raise funds within the Birmingham community.

He organized a fundraising competition within his company, RFG Advisory, called on friends and colleagues and even partnered with local restaurants for dine-and-donate benefit nights.

According to Paul, donations primarily support three areas: research, advocacy and local caregiver support.

“One of the main groups that need support, beyond just Alzheimer’s patients themselves, are the caretakers. It’s a heavy level of stress that gets added to them, and their mental health is impacted too.

They have to change their and life in general to be there for their loved ones, and they’re likely taking a cut to their income in able to be the primary caretaker.”
Paul Yeager, Alzheimer’s Association Executive Team Member + 2023 Walk Champion