This episode is a love letter to every person who has ever said "yes" to Alzheimer's research when outcomes were uncertain. Behind every breakthrough treatment stand volunteers whose courage makes medical advances possible.

Episode highlights:

✓ Why clinical trial volunteers give "the ultimate gift"

✓ What participation actually requires (trust, time, risk, hope)

✓ My mother's 2019 decision to enroll in Leqembi trials

✓ Milestones her courage gave our family

✓ Why her gift extends to people she'll never meet

✓ How one person's sacrifice ripples across generations

✓ Concrete ways to honor and support clinical research

The numbers that matter:

• 1,795 Clarity AD participants made Leqembi possible

• 1,736 TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 2 participants made Kisunla real

• Thousands currently enrolling in trials for future treatments

• One person's courage = changed trajectory for millions

What clinical trial participation requires:

→ Trust in uncertain outcomes

→ Frequent MRIs and brain scans → Regular multi-hour infusions

→ Cognitive testing highlighting decline → ARIA risk acceptance

→ Months or years of commitment

→ Hope for others without guaranteed personal benefit

This episode honors every volunteer—past, present, and future—who chose courage over fear.

Timeline: 0:00 - Cold open: The ultimate gift 2:00 - Why this gift matters 4:00 - My mother's decision (2019) 8:30 - What her courage gave us 14:00 - The unnamed thousands 18:30 - Science behind the sacrifice 22:00 - Gratitude in the season of giving 26:00 - How we honor this gift 28:30 - Closing: You're not alone

To every clinical trial volunteer: Thank you. Your gift is why we have hope. ❤️

#AlzheimersClinicalTrials #Leqembi #Kisunla #MedicalResearch #ClinicalTrialVolunteers #AlzheimersBreakthrough #UltimateGift #AlzheimersPodcast

This Thanksgiving looks different when Alzheimer's is part of your story. In this special holiday episode, Alzheimer's advocate Teri Youngdale shares how to navigate the complex emotions of caregiving during the holidays—holding both gratitude and grief in the same hand.

In this episode, you'll discover:

✅ Why gratitude feels different when you're an Alzheimer's caregiver

✅ Understanding ambiguous loss—grieving someone who's still alive

✅ Real stories from caregivers who've found grace in unexpected moments

✅ 5 simple gratitude practices you can use this Thanksgiving

✅ What to do when gratitude feels completely impossible

✅ How to extend grace to yourself, your loved one, and imperfect family members

Perfect for:

• First-time Alzheimer's caregivers facing a changed holiday

• Families navigating dementia during Thanksgiving

• Anyone balancing profound loss with moments of connection

• Caregivers who feel guilty about not feeling "grateful enough"