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Pleasantville Mother, Daughter Honored For Fighting Alzheimer's

PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. -- A Pleasantville mother-daughter team is leading the fight against Alzheimer's.

Amy and Maggie Shanus.

Amy and Maggie Shanus.

Photo Credit: Contributed

Amy Shanus and her daughter Maggie were honored as Women's Champions by the Alzheimer's Association Hudson Valley Chapter. They are among 12 women chosen to be champions because of their devotion to the fight against Alzheimer’s.

They became involved with the Alzheimer’s Association after the disease touched their lives. Amy's mother-in-law has had Alzheimer's for about 10 years.

“Once a very strong, vibrant and intelligent woman, she has had the life taken out of her by this disease, and it is very painful to watch -- even more difficult for my husband,” Amy said.

Watching her family grapple with her grandmother’s illness motivated Maggie to take action. She started an Alzheimer’s Awareness Club at Rye Country Day School and has participated in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s as the team captain of the Rye Country Day School team for the past five years.

“The idealistic side of me believes that my generation will finally find a cure for Alzheimer’s,” Maggie said. “This is a goal I know I can’t tackle alone, so I strive to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s. My voice speaks for more than just myself; it amplifies the struggling of the millions of people suffering today.”

The mother and daughter have also been active with advocacy, attending the Alzheimer’s Association’s Advocacy Forum in Washington, D.C. in spring 2016. Last fall, Amy chaired a fundraiser at Brae Burn Country Club featuring a speaker, vendors and card games.

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