ALZHEIMERS ART QUILT INITIATIVE
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One of the terrible things about seeing a loved one face Alzheimer's is that it makes you feel so helpless. One of the great things about the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative is that making a little quilt and seeing it raise money for research is that it makes you feel that you are doing something to help.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
seeing how a group of people can make a difference by working together
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
let more people know about the good work it does
I am a Registered Nurse in a setting that treats a mostly Geriatric population and have seen the devastation first-hand that Alzheimer’s can create, in the patient, in the family, in the other caregivers. And as the population grows and as more people develop Alzheimer’s, we will no longer have a large enough population of “healthy” individuals to care for them. Then what will we do? We need a cure, and we need it now.
Ami Simms and the Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative (AAQI) started out by making quilts “piece by piece” to try to make a small impact in the area of Alzheimer’s research. Little did she know that as a quilt grows "piece by piece" so did the quilting community’s involvement in AAQI and Alzheimer’s research until they actually made a huge impact; currently the Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative has raised approximately $500,000 and one of their grants went to the University of Michigan and helped fund a new breakthrough in Alzheimer’s research that was published in the Dec 3, 2010 edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. And a quote from Ami says it all: “Every stitch in every quilt is made with purpose and with hope. We now have proof that what we do with a needle and thread can truly make a difference."
So as the quilting community continues to help, and as the Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative continues to grow, we will find a cure for this terrible disease, one quilt at a time.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I cannot even begin to express how elated I was to read about the medical breakthrough from the University of Michigan. And to think, it all started with one small hope from someone with a really big heart, Ami Simms.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would not make any changes in AAQI. How many other non-profits earmark 100% of their donations to research grants? What I would like to see is more and more people become involved by making and buying Priority Quilts.
More feedback...
How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Very Well
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Definitely
What is unique about this organization?
100% of its proceeds go to fund research. All "staff" are volunteer.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
A sure way to panic is have the neurologist issue this statement--"your
husband has Alzheimer's disease. There is no cure."
When I read about the AAQI I knew I had to make a Little Quilt. Since
there are no salaried people, everyone involved is a volunteer, this is the most worthy charity I've ever known. I will continue to buy and make Little Quilts. We have to help find the cause/cure for this horrible disease.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Reading that a grant from AAQI has shown some progress.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Do nothing.
I'm a quilter with a sister who died of Alzheimer's a little over a year ago. I learned of AAQI from a quilting magazine and decided I wanted to support them by making Priority Quilts. It was a cathartic experience for me to make the quilts, a way for me to process my grief.
AAQI is an incredible organization propelled by so many selfless volunteers. They help those associated with Alzheimer's on so many levels (financially and emotionally to name a few) and with great compassion. AAQI is a truly a grass roots non-profit organization that is working wonders in so many ways.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
AAQI has supported me in processing my grief and to help me realize that there is support for all those whose lives are touched by Alzheimer's.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
give Ami Simms, AAQI's founder, all the help, energy, support and assistance she needs to keep AAQI running.
I attended the 2010 Houston International Quilt Festival and came across the AAQI booth. The quilts caught my eye and then I met Ami. I had no idea she was the founder, and because she is such a selfless person, she never mentioned it to me either. I shared with her a little about my sweet momma who is deep in the throes of Alzheimer’s Disease. What a caring, understanding angel Ami is. We stood and talked (and cried) for just a bit. I left feeling somewhat better and determined to help AAQI’s cause of funding research to find a cure for this horrible blight on our families. I came home and did a little checking on the organization and found just what I expected to find – that they give every penny possible to research and are all so selfless in what they do. I am totally impressed by this organization. I have given a donation and am working toward starting my first Priority Quilt. I want it to be special. We must find a cure for this disease before many, many more of us are devastated by it. Ami is on the frontline fighting the battle and I appreciate her and her organization more than they can ever know.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Every time research gets closer to finding a cause/cure for Alzheimer's, we all are a little bit better off. AAQI funded a study at U of M which has made a great breakthrough. They have also funded many other studies which get us closer to that cure. I've personally experienced Ami's compassion.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
The only change I would make is to grow the organization by leaps and bounds with more volunteers and contibutors. I wouldn't change a thing about the way AAQI works. I am so impressed with this group.
My mother died from Alzheimer's Disease and my father from Vascular/Alzheimer's Disease. It was a long, sad, emotionally draining journey for all of us. We did everything we could to make them comfortable and happy in their last years. Unfortunately, at that time, there wasn't a lot of help (financially, emotionally, or hands-on) that was truly dementia-specific. The AAQI is a fantastic, fun way to raise funds to be used for research for the cause and cure for this horrible disease. How many other charities can boast that 100% of funding goes to research? The volunteers that run this charity are to be commended and that includes the quilters, buyers, promoters, and "worker-bees". It has been my pleasure to donate a quilt for sale, purchase quilts and collect enough names to make more than one full purple-patch background quilt for the new exhibit. I wish Ami Simms and her crew the best of luck.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
When visiting the 1st traveling exhibit I was touched to my core by knowing that others had or were experiencing the same emotions and trials that my family had gone thru. It uplifted my soul and yet made me sad that others are still having to go thru this. Only thru research $$$ can any progress be made with this dreadful disease and Ami is doing all she can to that end.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I'm not sure I would make any changes.
A couple of years ago I attended a quilt show in Amherst, MA. On display were some of the quilts from the Alzheimer's Forgetting Piece by Piece exhibit. The quilts were very moving and spoke to me personally since I had just lost my dad to complications of Dementia. When I heard about the Priority Quilts Auction I knew I had to donate to the cause. Many people doing small things can accomplish a lot. I applaud Ami Simms' efforts to help find a cure
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have not personally experienced results but I am impressed with the amount of money they have earned through donations.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I believe it is great the way it is.
It has been a true joy to create a mini quilt for the AAQ Initative -- and from that project, many others became informed about AAQI and continue to follow it with regularity. Ami Simms' passion is spreading wings (and quilts) around the world!! We pray a solution to Alzheimer's will be discovered soon, for sure within Ami's lifetime!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
motivating me to learn more about Alzheimers and be willing to assist with my sewing abilities to help raise funds for Alzheimer's research.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
not slow down, for time is of essence!!
The Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative is the best way to donate. I make quilts, and I buy quilts. It is the best way I can help. Ami Simms did a wonderful thing when she started this charity. She and many other volunteers continue to do everything they can to raise money for research. There are no paid employees – only volunteers.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I received great satisfaction in knowing that I am helping the only way I know how - by quilting.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
More quilts, more buyers, and more money!
The Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative is very personal for me. My mother, father,grandmother, and my friend's mother are all listed on the purple ribbon quilts. I've also purchased quilts, and other items, from them for gifts to others touched by AD. This group has no "administrative" costs. All the donations go to Alz. research. I don't think there is an organization that can top this one!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Being able to share it with other families touched by AD.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Keep it just the way it is.
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