As the director of the LatinosAgainstAlzheimer’s Coalition, I’m thrilled when we can work hand-in-hand with our members to raise awareness of dementia and Alzheimer’s among their constituents, staff, and partners. That’s why I’m pleased to share our most recent collaboration with the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the nation’s oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization.

LULAC News – the organization’s membership magazine – sat down with LatinosAgainstAlzheimer’s advocate Daisy Duarte to learn more about Alzheimer’s impact on Latinos and about her role as a caregiver advocate and a clinical trial participant.

You’re also one of the few Latinos enrolled in an Alzheimer’s clinical trial. Can you tell me why you decided to participate in a trial? Why is it important to you?

Daisy Duarte: I’m enrolled in the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network (DIAN) study, which means that I take medication monthly and skills tests throughout the year. While it’s hard to balance life, caregiving, and participating in research; it’s extremely important. If my participation contributes to finding a cure for someone in the future – whether it’s me or my nieces and nephews – it will all be worth it. It’s so important for Latinos and other minorities to engage in clinical trial research. We need to make sure that our communities have a voice in the research process.

We have to take responsibility for our families and for ourselves.

Read the full magazine article here.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Diverse Elders Coalition.