Joanne and Chuck Knight

When Joanne Knight's mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in the early 1980s, the Alzheimer's Association Greater Missouri Chapter provided the information and support Joanne needed to embark on her journey as a caregiver.

Joanne was joined in her efforts by her husband, Charles "Chuck" Knight, whose father also had Alzheimer's. The couple, well-known and respected in their community, channeled their connections to raise funds and awareness to fight the disease.

Chuck himself passed away from Alzheimer's in 2017, and Joanne joined the Zenith Society in 2019 with a legacy gift to honor him by helping others access high-quality care and support. The Knight Family Dementia Care Coordination Initiative works through major health systems in Missouri and Illinois to connect families with an Association care consultation.

"The Knight gift is helping us create a new model for care and support services and reach a significant number of affected families in the Midwest," says Joanne Pike, Dr.P.H., Alzheimer's Association chief program officer. "Our vision is to scale the program in collaboration with health systems and providers so communities everywhere can benefit."

"This gift is a tribute to Chuck," Joanne says. "We hope other families can have the same great care that he did."