Each month, we feature an advocate who engages with policymakers to ensure priorities that improve the lives of people impacted by Alzheimer’s and all other dementia remain top-of-mind in Congress. This month, we’re featuring each of the advocates who received special recognition during the 2026 AIM Advocacy Forum. 

Advocate of the Year: Tiffani McLaurin-Robinson, Indiana

For more than 14 years, Tiffani McLaurin-Robinson has been a dedicated AIM advocate. Her commitment to the cause is rooted in something deeply personal: her family’s experience with Alzheimer’s disease.

It began at midnight, when her mother left a desperate voicemail with their local Alzheimer’s Association, seeking help after Tiffani’s grandmother, Ceola “Muffin” Wilson, wandered from home alone. The Association connected the family with resources, practical tools and a community that understood what they were facing.

“What began as a moment of crisis became the beginning of our healing journey,” said Tiffani.

That experience shaped her understanding of what is at stake. Tiffani lost her great-grandmother, Aslee Durham-Grant; her grandmother, Ceola “Muffin” Wilson; her great-aunt Ruth Thelma Neely; and her aunt Harriet Wilson — each to Alzheimer’s or another dementia.

“Advocating for Alzheimer’s awareness is more than a cause for me — it is personal,” said Tiffani. “It is about honoring my grandmother’s life, supporting caregivers like my mother, and being a voice for families navigating the uncertainty, fear, and grief that comes with this disease. Because I know what it feels like to need help — and how life-changing it is when someone answers the call.”

ACT Team of the Year: Wisconsin Second Congressional District

Each year, the Alzheimer’s Congressional Team of the Year is awarded to a team that exemplifies what it means to be Alzheimer’s advocates. This year, the team from Wisconsin’s second congressional district was recognized: Fatou Ceesay, Darian Dalsen, Jason Hiller and Lauren Ledbury.

Composed of both seasoned advocates and those newer to the mission, the team has worked together to build a strong, collaborative relationship with Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wisc.) — helping him become an informed and active champion for the Alzheimer’s community. Over 12 years, Rep. Pocan has consistently stood alongside advocates in the fight against Alzheimer’s and other dementia, most recently co-sponsoring both the ASAP Act and the AADAPT Act.

During a challenging year for federal research funding, the team stepped up to ensure Alzheimer's and dementia research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) remained a national priority. Team members attended a public town hall and raised questions about Alzheimer's research funding, and submitted multiple letters to the editor urging continued federal investment in the fight against the disease.

Accepting the award on behalf of the team, Fatou Ceesay noted that for her, this work is both professional and personal. Through her work serving seniors and families, she sees daily how Alzheimer's affects not only the person diagnosed, but everyone who loves them. That understanding deepened when she watched her aunts care for her grandmother as she lived with dementia.

“That experience is why I do this work, why I do it alongside my own children, and why I refuse to stop until we live in a world without Alzheimer’s and other dementias,” said Fatou.

Emerging Advocate of the Year: John Chandler, New York

As the 2026 Emerging Advocate of the Year, John Chandler of New York brought his personal experience with Alzheimer’s to the national stage — sharing a story that underscores why research funding and public awareness remain urgent priorities.

Chandler was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer’s two years ago — a diagnosis that caught him off guard. A lifelong athlete and committed to healthy habits, he had done everything right. And yet, he has Alzheimer’s.

Rather than stay silent, he chose to speak out — sharing his diagnosis publicly to raise awareness, support others and urge elected officials to act.

“This is not an ’old’ person’s disease, it can impact anyone,” he said. “Unlike other diseases, Alzheimer’s can’t be surgically removed or corrected. It attacks the very essence of who you are.”

For Chandler, the stakes extend beyond himself. He thinks of his three sisters and 10 nieces and nephews, all of whom share the same genetic risk. 

“More research and greater public awareness is the only thing that will save many others from what I'm living with,” said John.

The advocates recognized at this year's Forum represent thousands of volunteers across the country who show up — in state capitols, on Capitol Hill and in congressional district offices — to ensure Alzheimer's remains a priority. To add your voice, become an advocate today.