The Georgia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association today announced that Cynthia Widner Wall will be the newest board chair of the organization. Board members work to promote the organization and its many events to raise funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research programs.
Cynthia Widner Wall or Cindy, is committed to her community and serves several not for profit organizations. Her involvement in organizations and causes related to Health and Welfare, Art and Theatre, Education, Diversity and Inclusion, and Business allow her a kinship for the people, needs and interests of our community. Including the Alzheimer’s Association, she serves on the boards of Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Woodruff Art Center’s Alliance Theatre and Shepherd Center Foundation.
“Alzheimer’s is an individual and unique journey”, added Cindy. “But not a journey that has to be traveled alone. The Alzheimer’s Association supported and helped me on my journey with my Daddy.”
Cindy’s commitment to the Alzheimer’s Association became personal in 2009 when her father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and even more direct when he came to live with Cindy and her husband James in 2013. In 2014, she was a Celebrity Dancer for the Alzheimer’s Association Dancing Stars Atlanta. Then in 2015, as Chair of Dancing Stars, she significantly set the bar higher in fundraising to find a cure for Alzheimer’s. She joined the Alzheimer’s Association Georgia Board in 2016.
“The journey of Alzheimer’s is unique to the one suffering from Alzheimer’s and their caregiver and is a journey no one should face alone”, says Cindy. “When Daddy was with me, I was frequently asked how I could be helped in caring for my father. My response was consistent in that I did not know because I was solely focused on my Daddy’s needs”. Cindy also stated that she knows she was blessed to have a loving husband, caring daughters, and supportive caregivers to ensure her father was well taken care off. “As a caregiver, I appreciate the Alzheimer’s Association for the focus on research for a cure, the resources and information made available and the numerous friends she finds within the group.
Cindy has more than 43 years’ experience in the financial services industry, including 24 years in investments management and 15 years assisting affluent clientele. Cindy retired from Wachovia Securities after 25 years having started with First National Bank of Atlanta, was Wealth Director for BB&T Wealth Management for 6 years, and Wealth Director for PNC Wealth Management for 7 years. Her career has focused on the client experience and providing creative solutions to meet her clients financial and legacy planning. She has most recently taken time to consult with one of her nonprofit interest in the early stage of a capital campaign.
“We simply cannot achieve our goals without volunteers like Cindy”, added Linda Davidson, Alzheimer’s Association Georgia Chapter Executive Director. “Cindy brings not only her philanthropic spirit to the Association but remarkable business skills to our board of directors”, she added.
Cindy has been married to Savannahian, James Wall for 42 years. They have two daughters, Amanda and Catherine, and enjoy having them live nearby. While Savannah will always be a special part of their lives, Atlanta has been home for 25 years.
The Georgia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association elected new board members including Atlanta residents Spencer Graves, Debbie Levin, Bruce Swain and Dr. Frank Jones. From Macon area, Arthena Caston and John Rowland and from Columbus, Dr. Jonathan Liss.
More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease – the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 16 million family members and friends provide care to people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In Georgia alone, there are more than 150,000 people living with the disease and 540,000 caregivers.
To learn more about the Alzheimer’s Association, visit alz.org/Georgia or call 1-800-272-3900.
Facts and Figures: (http://www.alz.org/facts/)
- Alzheimer’s disease is the fifth-leading cause of death in Georgia.
- More than five million Americans are living with the disease, including 150,000 Georgia residents — a number estimated to grow to as many as 190,000 by year 2025.
- More than 16 million family and friends, including 540,000 in Georgia, provide unpaid care to people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias in the United States.
- In 2019, friends and family of those with Alzheimer’s in Georgia provided an estimated 615 million hours of unpaid care, a contribution valued more than $8 billion.
Alzheimer’s Association
The Alzheimer’s Association leads 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®. For more information, visit alz.org or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900. Connect on Facebook and Twitter.
Alzheimer's Association 