DAVENPORT, IOWA (May 6, 2024) — The Alzheimer’s Association held their annual Memories in the Making event on Friday, May 3, and raised a record-breaking $48,000 to help fund Alzheimer’s and dementia care, support, and research. Over 225 people attended the event which was held for the first time at the Vibrant Arena at the Mark.
Beautiful paintings created by people living with dementia in the Memories in the Making Art Therapy Program across fifteen local care facilities were auctioned off in a silent and live auction to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association. Several of the artists were able to attend the event with their caregivers and were excited to see their paintings featured that evening.
One of the paintings featured in the live auction called ‘The Love of a Dog’ was created by a man who recalled growing up with his grandmother who raised him, and they spent a lot of time with dogs. He remembered having a Great Dane and a Dalmatian growing up, but his favorite dog was Tessa, a beautiful mid-sized dog. He said she would always choose his room to sleep in at night. Later in life, he became a Health Officer at the Rock Island pound and would often end up taking the stray dogs home with him.
The Memories in the Making Art Therapy Program helps those living with the disease that have lost the ability to communicate with words express their thoughts and emotions and share memories through paintings with watercolors. It’s a way to improve the quality of life for people living with the disease and bring their stories and feelings to light.
There are nearly seven million Americans living with Alzheimer's disease — a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than eleven million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In Iowa and Illinois alone, there are nearly 300,000 people living with the disease and over 400,000 caregivers.
The 2025 Memories in the Making event will be held next spring. Stay up-to-date and learn more about the Alzheimer’s Association by visiting alz.org/iowa.
Alzheimer's Association®
The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Its mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.
