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To families with a loved one afflicted with Alzheimers disease, Angel Dazzo, an award-winning real estate agent with Coldwell Banker in Stamford, is indeed an angel. She is the founder of Angels for Alzheimers Cure, a grassroots committee that raises money for research and community marketing. Since 2004, the Angels have donated more than $350,000 to the Connecticut Chapter of the Alzheimers Association.
Angel Dazzos efforts were recently rewarded when she received an award that did not involve selling houses. She was named Connecticut Realtor Volunteer of the Year for 2010. Theres very little federal funding for research, says Angel, And Alzheimers is at the bottom of the list. Angel knows a lot about the disease. Her mother was diagnosed nine years ago. Alzheimer's Disease is projected to be the fastest growing disease in developed countries in this century, according to The Lancet, a British medical journal.
When her mother was diagnosed Angel expected to find support systems to help the family cope. There were none. People are so lost, they dont know where to turn, she says. She points out that Greenwich Hospital has a Center for Healthy Aging. Angel is working with Stamford Hospital and hopes that a similar resource will soon be available in her hometown. Until that happens, Angels for Alzheimers runs a caregivers' support group at Stamford Hospital's Tully Center. It's held in the conference room at noon on the second Wednesday of the month.
If youd like to support Angels cause, an easy, and delicious, way to do so is by purchasing a copy of Eating Italian with the Sacco & Mercede Families. The book, a compilation of recipes from Angels large Italian family, was several years in the making. My family and I had so much fun with the book, Angel says. I love to eat!
You can find copies at Borders in Stamford and at the Stamford Hospital Gift Shop. If youd like to become involved in Angels Angels, you can reach her at her Coldwell Banker office at (203) 667 0034.
Do you have a family member with Alzheimer's? Do you belong to a support group?
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