— Ryan Blaney Family Foundation extends partnership to support 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s —
CHICAGO, July 1, 2023 — NASCAR driver Ryan Blaney and the Ryan Blaney Family Foundation presented a $50,000 check to the Alzheimer’s Association today to help advance Alzheimer’s and dementia research and enhance care and support services for families impacted by the disease. The donation was part of the Race to #ENDALZ Match Challenge that ran throughout the month of June.
Blaney, who founded The Ryan Blaney Family Foundation in 2018 to support causes that personally impact the Blaney family, lost his grandfather, race car driver Lou Blaney, to Alzheimer's in 2009.
"Grandpa Lou was an important figure in my life, paving the way for my career as a race car driver," said Blaney. "Our ongoing partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association through The Ryan Blaney Family Foundation is a way for me to continue to honor my grandfather’s legacy while helping millions of Americans across the country who are directly impacted by Alzheimer’s and dementia."
According to the
2023 Alzheimer's Association Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures report, there are currently more than 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer's disease — a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
Since 2019, the Ryan Blaney Family Foundation has raised more than $750,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association to support the organization’s work to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.
“Ryan Blaney is a powerful voice helping the Alzheimer’s Association reach millions of race fans across the country to break the stigma of Alzheimer’s and encourage more conversations about the disease,” said Donna McCullough, chief mission and field operations officer, Alzheimer’s Association. “Funds raised through our partnership with The Ryan Blaney Family Foundation make a significant impact on helping us continue to provide care and support services for families affected by the disease while fueling research around the world.”
Earlier this year, Blaney partnered with the Alzheimer’s Association and the Ad Council to launch a new public service announcement to encourage families to have a conversation with loved ones when they notice changes in cognition or behavior. The campaign's website,
alz.org/TimetoTalk, offers tools and resources to help families recognize early warning signs of Alzheimer's, tips for facilitating conversations about cognition, benefits of early detection and diagnosis, a discussion guide for use with doctors and health providers, and other disease-related information.
About the Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia®. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.
About the Ryan Blaney Family Foundation
Founded in 2018 by NASCAR driver Ryan Blaney and his family, The Ryan Blaney Family Foundation is a registered 501(c)3 that is dedicated to raising awareness and funding for brain health causes that have directly impacted the Blaney Family, with focus on Alzheimer's disease and concussions.