Alzheimer's Association honors Mount Vernon woman for devotion to cause

MOUNT VERNON -- The Alzheimer’s Association Hudson Valley Chapter has named Mount Vernon resident Michelle Edwards-Brisbane a 2016-17 Women’s Champion. The 12 champions from around the Hudson Valley were chosen because of their devotion to the cause.

Brisbane and her family are deeply involved in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, participating in the Westchester walk as well as walks in Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and North Carolina to help raise awareness.

“The Edwards family has been hit hard with this terrible disease,” Brisbane said. “My maternal grandfather had it. My mother had it. Two of her sisters had or have it. It is a scary feeling seeing your loved ones suffer and not knowing if it will affect you.”

The Women’s Champions program aims to empower women to strike back against Alzheimer’s, since they are at the forefront of the disease: Two-thirds of those affected by Alzheimer’s are women, and women make up more than 60 percent of caregivers for people with dementia.

To read about all 12 of the Hudson Valley Women’s Champions, visit the newly launched website at alzchampions.org.

This year's Westchester Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be held on Sunday, Sept. 24, at a new location on the SUNY Purchase campus. For details or to register, visit WestchesterWalk.org

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Its mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Its vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. To learn more about the Hudson Valley Chapter, call 800.272.3900 or visit www.alz.org/hudsonvalley.