Marilyn’s Legacy: A World Without Alzheimer’s is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization inspired by Marilyn Napoletan. Our mission is to increase Alzheimer’s awareness among the masses as well as raise funds to stop this insidious disease and provide support to enhance quality of life for families currently on this journey.
We will support organizations that are recognized leaders in this space and have shown superior financial stewardship in regard to use of charitable contributions. In addition, we will offer support to families affected by Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, with the intention of enhancing quality of life.
My mother believed in living life to the fullest. She was a fiercely independent, passionate, and wise woman who had a brilliant sense of humor. With a smile and persona that could light up any room, she was loved by all who knew her. Try as it might, not even Alzheimer’s could change the essence of her being. Even in the late stages, we saw sparks of her true self, often when she was trying to make those around her laugh.
Still, this unrelenting disease robbed her of the long, happy retirement she had worked so hard for. The travel adventures she dreamed of were never realized. Relationships waned as people felt uncomfortable in her presence, and the independence she treasured was seized from her grasp right before our eyes until she needed assistance with even the most basic and intimate activities of daily living.
Alzheimer’s is a cruel, unyielding disease that is about so much more than memory loss. It affects executive function, speech, personality, and behavior. It brings with it balance and gait issues as well as paranoia, confusion, hallucinations, delusions, and severe agitation. Eventually, people with Alzheimer’s lose their ability to swallow. Alzheimer’s is not limited to the elderly; diagnosis can come as early as the 30s, 40s, and 50s. It cannot be prevented, cured, or even slowed. Alzheimer’s is fatal; there are no survivors.
We, at Marilyn’s Legacy, ask you to join us in the fight for A World Without Alzheimer’s. The time is now.
Ann Napoletan, Founder & CEO
Click Here To Learn More
About The Organizations We Support