Chinese community turns out for Alzheimer’s Forum

Mrs. Gwen Kao

Over 400 people attended our Alzheimer’s Chinese Forum earlier this month. This conference, presented in Mandarin, was held at Intel Auditorium in Santa Clara.

One of our featured presenters came all the way from Hong Kong. Mrs. Gwen Kao is the wife of late Dr. Charles Kao, Nobel Prize laureate in Physics 2009. Dr. Kao passed away last September from Alzheimer’s. Mrs. Kao is the founder and chairman of Charles K. Kao Foundation for Alzheimer’s Disease Limited. This was her first public appearance in the United States in several years.

Topics included:

Medical professionals panel
  • Alzheimer’s disease basics and diagnosis process
  • Behavior management and hospice care
  • Brain health research update
  • Caregiver panel
  • Getting connected: Alzheimer’s Association programs & services
Caregiver panel

“We are grateful to all of our amazing speakers and moderators who shared their expertise and personal journeys to encourage and inspire the families who attended the conference,” shared Peining Chang, ACSW, Alzheimer’s Association Community Outreach Manager.

Alzheimer’s Association National Board Member, Alex Tsao, accepts Assembly proclamation from Assemblymember Kansen Chu

Many community partners participated in a resource fair, to share information on their services with the attendees. Assemblymember Kansen Chu joined us to support our efforts and present an Assembly proclamation.

This year we held a press conference prior to the forum. Forum speakers, Chinese advisers, and several reporters attended to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s in the Chinese community.

Press conference participants

Information on our forum appeared in newspapers, on social media, on radio stations, and on television news broadcasts.

Our major media sponsor, KTSF26, also ran a weeklong special report again this year on Alzheimer’s disease. The special, aired on both Cantonese and Mandarin new programs, lead up to the forum.

We had many volunteers who helped on the day of the conference.

Forum volunteers

We also took the opportunity to recognize our wonderful volunteer photographer, Edward Lin, for his 10 years of support in capturing all of the conference and event highlights for our attendees.

Edward, being thanked by Peining

Thank you to everyone who helped us spread the word, assisted with logistics or volunteered at the event. We couldn’t have done it without all your support!

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