Young Adult Advocacy Competition Results Announced

As some of you may recall, I submitted an entry for the Alzheimer's Association's Young Adult Advocacy Essay Competition several months back. The time has passed, and the results are in: While I won't be winning a trip to Washington, DC, to testify before congress, I did win an honorable mention. Am I disappointed? A little, though what's intriguing about the results is that I might be the only gentleman on the list. Some of the names are questionable, but I believe they're all female:

Alzheimer's Association Young Adult Essay Competition
First Place:
Kristen Czenszak, PA
Second Place:
Jessica Linberts, WI
Honorable Mention:
Christopher Adams, NY
Emily Balfour, GA
Mary Beeson, NE
Caitlin English, NY
Bobbie Marie Gregg, TN
Allison Mohler, CT
Hashini Seneviratne, MD
Kelley Snead, PA
Kate Tebben, SC
Shira Wender, FL

Just the same, I've been a busy boy in getting ready for this year's Memory Walk. Each year, several clubs at Simon band together to participate in an event called Team MBA. I'm proud to announce that the Memory Walk has been selected as Team MBA's fall volunteerism event. My vision is to get a network of clubs from different universities in the area involved in the event, possibly competing with one another. This seems like a great year to test the power of the Facebook event invitation function in a fundraising capacity...

My "First Person" article selected for print!

As many of you are aware, I've been actively involved with our local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association for some time now. Recently, I was tapped on the shoulder to write a submission for the association's regional newsletter. The "First Person" section highlights local individuals coping with the loss of a loved one and those fighting for a cure. In my submission, I talk about the loss of my father and what I'm doing to have my revenge on the disease... I highly encourage you to read the short artice (it's only 500 words or so, but might just have a powerful impact on you). Besides, it makes reference to the movie "Road to Perdition"! You can find it at the following page:

http://www.alz-rochesterny.org/genericContent.php?contentID=54

It is now more important than ever for us to find a cure for this thing. Early onset of the disease has become more frequent with each passing year. Our aging baby-boomers, a huge portion of our population as a country, will contribute to a doubling of the population affected by Alzheimer's in several years' time. Why do we need to speak out? The current administration, though juggling many priorities, has decided to cut Alzheimer's research funding for the 2008 budget. Let's just hope my other competition advocacy essay gives me access to congress...