From one generation to the next: keeping the mission alive through philanthropy
Vicky Patel has supported the Alzheimer’s Association® for over a decade in honor of her father, becoming one of the nation’s top Walk to End Alzheimer’s fundraisers and a major supporter of research, including the U.S. POINTER study. She actively participates in the A Bright Night gala, donates creative auction items, involves her family in the cause, and remains committed to advancing care, support, and research in hopes of finding a cure.
Honoring her father
Vicky Patel has been supporting the Alzheimer’s Association for more than 10 years in honor of her father, Richard Sakers, Sr. Richard, lovingly known as Poppy by his grandchildren, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2003. For the next decade Vicky became Richard’s long-distance caregiver, traveling from California to Florida when she could.
Prior to Richard’s death in 2015, Vicky searched the internet for Alzheimer’s resources and found the Alzheimer’s Association. As luck would have it, there was an office close to her home in Santa Clara County.
“I found out the local chapter was in the same city I was living in at the time,” said Vicky. “I stopped into the local chapter and that’s when I met Lisa Azbill, [Executive Donor Advisor for the Alzheimer’s Association]. [The Association] loaned me some books I could read through and gave me a number, [800.272.3900], [caregivers] can call for questions.”
Vicky shares more about her early experiences with the Alzheimer’s Association in a 2018 blog that can be found here.
Supporting research
When Vicky first began supporting the Association, there weren’t any treatments, there was only hope that one day there would be. Vicky began participating in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s®. There she raised funds to help the care, support and most importantly to Vicky, research efforts of the Association. Vicky is currently the number one fundraiser for Walk in the country – amongst hundreds of thousands of participants.
In the late 2010s Vicky learned about an upcoming clinical trial that was focusing on if Alzheimer’s prevention was possible and she knew she wanted to support it. With the help of the Alzheimer’s Association, Vicky pledged she would match every dollar raised up to $1 million.
This clinical trial was called the U.S. POINTER study, which concluded in 2025. The study found that lifestyle interventions targeting a combination of physical activity, improving nutrition, cognitive and social challenge, and health monitoring improved cognition in older adults at risk of cognitive decline.
Vicky remarked, “It was something I was able to help out with. I was very pleased [with the results],” said Vicky. “U.S. POINTER was how to prevent [the disease]. It was an indicator of this is where more focus should be. It would be interesting to see more work and dollars in ways to prevent [the disease].”
A Bright Night gala
In 2020, the Northern California Chapter began hosting A Bright Night gala. The gala is a seated dinner, live auction and stage program that features a brief awards ceremony and inspiring guest speaker. Funds raised from the event support the full mission of the Alzheimer’s Association.
“I like the annual getting together with people who are just as passionate about raising funds for the organization,” commented Vicky. “Knowing that I’m helping out and catching up with a lot of different people. There are really nice friendships.”
“[It’s also a] great reason to get dressed up and eat a semi fancy dinner. There will be a family or person of someone going through [the disease] and your heart strings will be strummed a few times. It’s a place to learn some things, get updates and meet wonderful people going through the same thing. I’ve gone through [the disease and] I still stick with [the cause]. It’s still very important. I’ve considered getting two tables, maybe next year I end up doing that.”
A role in a feature-length movie
In 2023 Vicky decided to do more than just attend, she wanted to donate an auction item. With the help of her company, Monarch Media, she donated the opportunity to have your likeness included in their upcoming animated film, Tangles, set to release later this year
Tangles: A Story About Alzheimer’s, My Mother and Me is an animated feature film based on Sarah Leavitt’s acclaimed graphic novel. Based on Leavitt’s personal experience, it tells the story of a woman who returns to her small hometown to help care for her mother who has Alzheimer’s disease and all the challenges that entails.
This auction item was sold for $10,000.
“It was amazing. We had no idea how receptive people would be,” said Vicky. “It’s not going to be [filmed] on camera; it’s a graphic novel. I’d love to [offer something like this] again.”
Passing on her legacy
At the 2025 A Bright Night gala, Vicky did another new thing, she invited her grandchildren (ages 16 and 20) to attend with her. While they’ve never truly met Poppy, they’ve heard the stories about who he was from Vicky and their mother.
“I want to pass the mantle to [my grandchildren],” said Vicky. “They know why I do it and they are able to see these events are fun. I want the legacy to continue.”
Finding a cure
Last year, marked the 10th anniversary of her father’s passing. Despite this, Vicky continues to build on her commitment to help in finding a cure for dementia and encourages others to do the same.
“I know [treatments] have come out, but no one has come out and said, ‘We’ve solved the riddle of Alzheimer’s,’” said Vicky. “Research still needs to be done. It’s not like, dust off their hands mission accomplished. [A cure is] getting closer.”
A Bright Night gala will be held on June 6, 2026, at Treehouse Silicon Valley in Sunnyvale, California. To learn more about A Bright Night gala or to buy tickets, visit alz.org/abrightnight.
Help fund the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association by making a donation at alz.org/donate.
