Alzheimer's Advocates Raise Awareness, Support At Florida Capitol

TALLAHASSEE, FL — More than 100 Alzheimer’s Association advocates from across the state gathered at the Florida Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 4, for the association’s 10th annual “Rally in Tally.”

Featuring a special lighting ceremony during which Florida’s Historic Capitol was lit purple to promote Alzheimer’s awareness, the bipartisan event was attended by officials from both sides of the political aisle, including state Reps. Scott Plakon and Matt Willhite; state Sens. Audrey Gibson, Debbie Mayfield and Annette Taddeo; and also Gov. Ron DeSantis.

“We have the second highest prevalence of [Alzheimer’s] disease in the nation, and obviously with our demographics, you understand why that could be,” DeSantis remarked. “But by 2025, the number [of affected Floridians] is projected to increase to over 700,000, and additionally, 1.2 million Floridians currently serve as caregivers to people living with Alzheimer’s, so this is something that has a major impact across all sectors of the state of Florida.”

Also in attendance were Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees and Florida Department of Elder Affairs Secretary Richard Prudom, as well as Hillsborough County teacher Bobby Marshall.

Marshall, who teaches at Lennard High School in Ruskin, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 55. As a featured speaker of the event, he shared the details of how he received his diagnosis and the impacts of that experience on his everyday life.

One of the challenges Marshall recounted facing was the question of whether to inform his students of his condition.

“They noticed that I was missing some things, and I thought it was only fair to let them know that it wasn’t them, it was me,” he explained. “It was probably the best thing that I’ve ever done. These kids rallied around me. They sell cookies, they make t-shirts, have bake sales, car washes, and every year since I’ve been diagnosed, they raise $3,000 to go towards the [Alzheimer’s] Association.”

Another speaker at the event was Michelle Branham, vice president of public policy for the Alzheimer’s Association in Florida, who announced the nonprofit organization’s state legislative priorities for the year, with the top priority being the creation of a dementia director position within the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. Included in Gov. Ron DeSantis’ budget recommendations and the subject of both House Bill 835 and Senate Bill 1542, the proposed position’s purpose would be to allow for the effective coordination and implementation of Alzheimer’s and dementia-related policies across state agencies.

Other priorities for the Alzheimer’s Association included increases in funding each for the Ed and Ethel Moore Alzheimer’s Disease Research Program, the Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative program and the Community Care for the Elderly program, as well as the continuation of funding for the organization’s Brain Bus program.

“The Brain Bus will specialize in diverse communities and underserved communities and those that don’t have direct access to care,” Branham said, adding that the bus makes 300 stops annually across the state of Florida.

As a testament to the importance of the program, Marshall noted how he had personally benefited from receiving an early Alzheimer’s diagnosis and felt that the information and resources the Brain Bus provides could help increase early detection across the state.

“I’m here to give my support,” he said, “and with your support and the support of the governor and his team, I hope in five years’ time I can come back here and tell you how I beat this disease.”