Thursday, September 15, 2011

$1K Karma Cupcakes for Charity

I convinced my manager to let me to contact the media after a third break-in at our Chapter's Headquarters. We were not enticing to the media because the disease we were trying to cure usually harmed the elderly. I was certain this would get us instant exposure. Afterall, what news source doesn't like crime. I sent my first press release and was hooked.

CBS and FOX immediatly came to cover the story and checks began arriving from people who could not believe that anyone would steal from the elderly.

From there, I initiated the $1K Karma Cupcakes for Charity bake sale to help raise $20K from our break-in. The media ate up the Karma Cupcakes. We were featured on
WSB, USA Today, AJC Buzz, Project 96.1, Star 94, The Fish, The Fan 680, The Regular Guys, The Bert Show, and 99X. I persuaded my boss to take some $1K Karma Cupcakes to local radio and television stations to be delivered with the press release on the morning of our bake sale. My marketing strategy was a success and we were featured on several morning radio and television shows.

We had never gotten media coverage to this extent before, and I really wanted to secure the top rated news station in Atlanta, so I started calling 11 Alive at 4am on the morning of the bake sale. I made friends with the newsroom secretary and used this to get Julie Wolfe to come film at the bake sale for the Noon News. CBS, and WSB came out to film also, along with AJC, and the Marietta Daily Journal. AJC featured us in a follow up story, so for the first time we were top of mind, even as an old person's disease.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Alzheimer's Ad Fame

After the Cupcakes, I worked with my manager to get as much free ad space as possible for this Alzheimer's Ad. If you mentioned the ad to almost anyone who read the WSJ, the knew which ad you were referring to. People took photos and posted on their blogs. Many wondered where this type of compelling ad was for their disease. It even got an honorable mention on The Alzheimer's Spouse Message Board. Adrants posted it , (yes the same Adrants that initiated Occupy Wall Street, I knew them before they were famous) and M3 gave it the Killer Ad of the Week Award. I got national free ad space in USA Today, Wall Street Journal, The Economist, Time Magazine, and the Atlanta Journal Constitution. The ad ran in the WSJ, until March of 2011--I got a total of $789,000 in free ad space. I worked to get this banner on our web page for end-of-year giving and wrote this letter, which was sent to our major donors.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Turning City Hall Purple



With City Councilmember Felicia Moore, I turned City Hall purple for Alzheimer's Awareness Month from November 23-29.


Saturday, September 10, 2011

Press Releases



$1,000 Cupcakes for Charity at Alzheimer's Bake Sale


Alzheimer’s $1k Karma Cupcakes Deliver


Why Tailgate for Alzheimer’s?


Friday, September 9, 2011

Letters to the Editor

 
Follow-up Article to the Editor


Alzheimer’s is Your Disease Article


World Alzheimer's Day Article

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Case Statement

Mission
Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research and promotion of brain health, while simultaneously enhancing care and support for all individuals, their families, and caregivers. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s disease.

Research
Alzheimer’s disease affects more than 5.3 million Americans and has recently become a priority within the scientific community. According to a statement made by a group of Concerned Universities and Research Institutions, Alzheimer’s disease has emerged as one of the most important diseases in the 21st Century, with a new case diagnosed every 70 seconds. Discoveries acknowledged at the International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease in 2008 include:

      Early Alzheimer’s detection—improved diagnostic procedures allow both a better quality of life as well as provide the path for clinical trials targeted to one day finding a cure.

      Risk factors—empowering individuals to modify diet, exercise, and other lifestyle factors to improve brain health.

      Innovative treatments—allowing patients to live more comfortably.

Without these research advancements, clinical trials—which are imperative for finding a cure—would not be possible. If a cure is not found:

      Alzheimer’s disease will bankrupt the healthcare system as we know it.

      By mid-century, someone will develop Alzheimer’s every 33 seconds.

Programs and Services
Our Georgia Chapter is a recognized leader nationwide in providing exemplary Programs and Services to families. We served more than 125,000 individuals in 2008. Alzheimer’s has become the sixth leading cause of death in our country and demand for Programs and Services is multiplying. Deaths from the top five causes has decreased from 2000-2006, while deaths from Alzheimer’s has increased a staggering 41.7 percent. Due to this rapid growth, if financial support is not there to meet the demand, families could be denied the programs and services we provide. Of your contribution, 79 percent will go directly to aid these individuals.


“As I write this letter to you and your organization, I think how wonderful it is to be able to leave home for a few hours and, while I’m gone, I don’t have to worry about what is going on with mom.” I. Brown, Caregiver—Participant Caregiver Timeout Program.
 
Wandering
Georgia has 200,000 individuals with Alzheimer’s and 70 percent of these wander. Six individuals have been found deceased this year alone, most only miles from their homes. If found within 24 hours, with adequate tracking, their chances of survival would have increased by more than 50 percent. Funding for our Medic Alert/Safe Return Program as well as comprehensive education provided to law enforcement is desperately needed to keep Georgians safe.
 
 
Request
The scientific community is generating advances with Alzheimer’s daily, and necessity for our Programs and Services is on the rise. Please consider making a gift today to the Alzheimer’s Association. Your general contribution will be allocated among our Programs and Services, which will assist Alzheimer’s patients and their families directly. Your gift of:
   
   $2,500 provides a year of Caregiver Timeout for two families
   $5,000 assists 120 people through our 24-Hour Help Line
   $10,000 enrolls 180 individuals in our Medic Alert/Safe Return Program
   $25,000 serves 1,155 individuals yearly through our support groups

Ten years ago I was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and the first place I turned to was the Georgia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. My family and I knew nothing about what we were facing and what to expect. When we called the Association, we were greeted by friendly people who referred us to resources to help us deal with our situation. Over these last few years the Association has been there to guide us, support us and to put us in touch with other families that are dealing with this dreaded disease. Their support has given us a comfort level in dealing with our challenges. – Kris Bakowski, Advocate/Patient
 
By contributing to the Alzheimer’s Association, you are engaging in the lives of Alzheimer’s individuals daily—providing care and support otherwise unattainable. On behalf of the Georgia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, we are grateful for your generosity and your belief in our mission.