Research Volunteers

My name is Tim.

A cure depends on research. Research volunteers are needed - "Don't just hope for cure, help us find one."

I lost my dad to Alzheimer's and my sister is now living with Alzheimer's. My journey with the Alzheimer’s Association started when I was trying to sell them office furniture (Milwaukee, WI) in October, 2009. Fast forward to 2018, I was invited to be part of the team for the Greenwoods State Bank in the annual Walworth County Walk to End Alzheimer’s® in Lake Geneva. At that walk I saw the “I REMEMBER” board for the first time. I thought about my dad, and mom, who I lost to cancer in 1995, and what I remembered was our love. I was told in January 2019 my sister Beth was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. So, in 2019, I formed my own team, Remember the Love. While I was committed to raising awareness and funds, I still felt I should be doing more. Participating in research is something I feel like I’m supposed to do. I participated in a clinical trial at the Medical College in 2019 that I ended up not qualifying for – and then I came across the AHEAD study. The AHEAD study is testing whether an investigational treatment, now FDA approved Lecanemab, can lower people’s risk of memory loss due to Alzheimer’s disease by eliminating amyloid plaque in the brain. How crazy is that! Study participants are enrolled in one of two AHEAD trials based on the level of amyloid plaque in their brain. I qualified for the study and participated in cognitive tests, blood work and a pet scan. My expectation was that I would have amyloid plaque, due to my family history. My results showed no plaque detected and so I was no longer part of the study. What a huge relief! There is a sign on the wall at the UW-Madison Hospital, where I did the testing, that reads, “Discovering Tomorrow’s Cures”; My wife,Cheryl and I both looked at each other and said, ‘this is why we’re here.’”

If Alzheimer's could impact me at some point, I can’t think of a better place to be than in a study working to find a cure. By participating in research, I am on the leading edge of science to stop this devastating disease. Even though I didn’t qualify for the AHEAD study, I was asked to participate in other research studies. I have been involved in research studies at Medical College of Wisconsin and the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center in Madison, WI.

I am happy to share my involvement and what I have experienced. I am interested in what others have experienced.

"Don't wait to do something"