CADES says ‘thanks’ at Center
CADES operates out of Concord United Methodist Church, serving nearly two dozen individuals daily and offering many projects, programs and exercise to help combat the effects of Alzheimer’s.
An April fundraiser “was very successful,” program director Genna Minihan said. “People were so generous, and we wanted to thank them with the reception.
“We also combined it with an art show of pictures painted by our CADES participants.”
Among the honored guests was Joan Cronan, University of Tennessee Women’s Athletic director emeritus who chairs the Pat Summit Foundation, which presented CADES with a $50,000 grant earlier this year.
The cause is near and dear to Cronan’s heart, as her good friend, former Lady Vols Southeastern Conference and NCAA championship coach Pat Summitt, died from Alzheimer’s Disease in 2016.
“When Pat told me she had the disease, it was in the early stages,” said Cronan. “But from the beginning, it was really important to her to be remembered as someone who made a difference in fighting [Alzheimer’s], and she formed the Foundation.
“We partnered with [University of Tennessee] hospital to open the Pat Summit Clinic [in 2017], and through that, and the organization, Pat stays alive, and she is continuing to make a difference.
“We are thrilled to give CADES one of our grants,” she continued. “It is a very special need they fill. It is hard on caregivers, and CADES does a great job, caring for the CADES participants as well as their caregivers.”
Former CADES executive director Celia Gruzalski said the grant funded the organization’s Bridge program which began in July offering assistance to families who are on the CADES waiting list.
“We have a dedicated staff for that program, who are serving 15 more individuals and their families,” Gruzalski said. “We are so fortunate to have the Pat Summit Foundation. which presented CADES with a $40,000 grant earlier this year.
The cause is near and dear to Cronan’s heart, as her good friend, former Lady Vols eight-time NCAA championship head coach Pat Summitt, died from Alzheimer’s Disease in 2016.
“When Pat told me she had the disease, it was in the early stages,” Cronan said. “But from the beginning, it was really important to her to be remembered as someone who made a difference in fighting it, and she formed the Foundation.
“We partnered with (University of Tennessee Medical Center) to open the Pat Summit Clinic (in 2017), and through that and the organization, Pat stays alive — and she is continuing to make a difference,” she added.
“We are thrilled to give CADES one of our grants. It is a very special need they fill. It is hard on caregivers, and CADES does a great job caring for the CADES participants, as well as their caregivers.”
Former CADES executive director Celia Gruzalski said the grant funded the organization’s Bridge program, which began in July offering assistance to families who are on the CADES waiting list.
“We have a dedicated staff for that program, who are serving 15 more individuals and their families,” Gruzalski said.
