Over the past several months, communities across Wisconsin have come together with passion and creativity to support the UW Initiative to End Alzheimer’s (IEA). From golf outings and live music festivals to runs and volleyball tournaments, more than ten fundraising events have been hosted statewide, collectively raising an impressive $423,475 to advance groundbreaking Alzheimer’s research.
Signature gatherings such as the annual Hackers & Slackers Ending Alzheimer’s Invitational golf outing, Storkfest live music celebration, and the Remember Me Red 5K run once again highlighted the generosity and determination of families, friends and neighbors committed to ending Alzheimer’s. Each event not only raised critical funds but also built awareness and strengthened connections among those touched by the disease.
This year also marked an inspiring milestone: for the first time, a group of Edgewood High School students stepped forward to make a difference. Four volleyball players, each personally affected by Alzheimer’s in their families, launched Volley4Alz, a student-led fundraising initiative. They organized and hosted a volleyball tournament dedicated to supporting blood biomarker research, a promising frontier in early detection and treatment.
Their leadership didn’t stop at the tournament. They also partnered with the UW Women’s Volleyball Team, spotlighting the IEA as a community partner during an August exhibition game. With nearly $9,000 already raised, these students demonstrated the power of young leaders to inspire change and create lasting impact.
Together, these events and the individuals behind them represent the heart of the IEA’s mission: a community united by determination, creativity and hope. Every dollar raised fuels vital research and brings us closer to a future without Alzheimer’s.
Would you like to learn more about setting up a fundraiser or making a gift to the UW Initiative to End Alzheimer’s?
Steve Ramig, senior director of development, is available to answer any questions you may have. Call him at 608-308-5255 or email him at steve.ramig@supportuw.org.