Dallas, TX – Eleven years after setting a goal to raise $20,000, BvB Dallas celebrates raising more than $4 million in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. Each year for the past decade, BvB Dallas has set ambitious goals to grow awareness, funds, and hope for those facing the disease. Over 1,000 young women and men have contributed to the success by personally raising $1,300 or more each year. Thanks to the passion and dedication of its volunteers, BvB Dallas has experienced unprecedented success. Using their voices and connections for good, participants have volunteered, fundraised, and educated friends, family, coworkers and the community about the need for research and scientific advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s.
For the past nine weeks, more than 200 women and men have raised awareness about the disease and funds for research among their personal networks. To date, approximately $500,000 of their 2018 goal has been raised. By game day, the group hopes to secure the remaining 29% of their $700,000 goal in order to award grants to four local organizations researching and treating Alzheimer’s.
The 11th Annual BvB Dallas Powder-Puff Football Game will take place Saturday, August 11th at 7:30 pm at the Cotton Bowl at Fair Park. The game signifies a summer of hard work to TACKLE ALZHEIMER’S – the 6th leading cause of death in the United States and the only disease among the top 10 that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed. Thousands of fans are expected to fill the Cotton Bowl to watch the tradition, which will be commentated by Ty Walker, Donovan Lewis and Sean Bass of Sportsradio 1310 The Ticket. Events include an honorary guest coin toss by Ebby Halliday Realtors’ Mary Frances Burleson and after-party presented by Bud Light. A $25 donation to BvB Dallas secures a ticket to the game and after-party.
With 11 years of experience, organization participants know the importance of:
· The impact on loved ones suffering from the disease – participants have acted as primary caregivers, support systems and advocates for more than 200 honorees.
· Raising awareness and funds through peer-to-peer outreach – each player/coach is required to raise $1,300. Over the course of ten years, 51 individuals have individually raised $10,000 or more, and 23 have raised $20,000 more each. The top fundraiser has personally raised more than $70,000.
· BvB funding to grant recipients for research and programing – awarded through a competitive grants process, the Center for BrainHealth, the Senior Source, the Alzheimer’s Association, and UT Southwestern – will receive critical funds for their research and programming. You can read more about the grantees here.
Local and national brands have stepped up to sponsor the game including Reagor Dykes Auto Group, Sportsradio 1310 The Ticket, Ebby Halliday Companies, Legends Hospitality, Bud Light, and Barley House. BvB Dallas is also supported by The Biz, Noah’s Ark, CVS Health, Magnolia OBGYN, Suros Wireless and Sisu.
This week’s contributions mark $500,000 raised for the 2018 season, the 11th anniversary of the impressive peer-to-peer movement. This year’s dedicated philanthropists have a goal to raise a total of $700,000, which will be invested in local organizations working to change the future for people facing Alzheimer’s. Recipients of funds are chosen through a competitive grant process that supports scientific advancements and patient support in North Texas. This year’s recipients are:
Center for BrainHealth:
BvB will continue funding The Discovery Group, a strength-based program aiming to optimize the abilities of individuals with early stage Alzheimer’s disease. BvB’s 2018 funding will also help expand the program to create and pilot targeted education for caregivers, community workshops, and professional seminars that can be replicated throughout the community for a broader impact.
UT Southwestern:
BvB will continue our partnership with UT Southwestern through funding the Clinical Neuropsychology Alzheimer’s Fellowship, an intensive two-year program which provides an opportunity to rapidly develop expertise in the differential diagnosis and treatment of dementia. The BvB Fellow will be involved in cutting edge research related to risk factors for developing Alzheimer’s, factors that affect disease progression, and study of novel treatments, with the goal of advancing the science of this devastating disease.
The Senior Source
BvB is excited to announce a new beneficiary in The Senior Source. Our funding will support programs within the agency that directly serve older adults with dementia. This includes the Senior Companion Program, which places specially trained volunteers in the homes of older adults to provide personal assistance as well as respite care for the family caregiver. We will also provide funding for the Guardianship Program, in which The Senior Source serves as court appointed guardian to manage the medical, personal, and financial affairs of vulnerable elderly individuals. Lastly, funding will be allocated to the Caregiver Support Program, which provides expertise, counseling, and resources to family caregivers.
The Alzheimer’s Association
BvB is pleased to award a grant to the Alzheimer’s Association to fund expanded outreach to diverse and lower income areas of South Dallas and adjacent neighborhoods where there may be higher rates of Alzheimer’s disease and an abundant need for assistance. Our support will allow for an increase of care and support services through information and resources, care consultations, education, early stage services, safety services and health care system engagement.
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ABOUT BvB DALLAS
BvB Dallas is a young philanthropist group dedicated to raising awareness, funds and support to TACKLE ALZHEIMER’STM. Founded by sisters whose father was afflicted by Alzheimer’s, BvB is a personal way for young professionals across the country to share a common passion of fun, fellowship, and philanthropy, culminating in a powder-puff football game to raise money for Alzheimer’s research and awareness.
Money is generated from 200+ men and women who have a passion to raise awareness and support for those fighting Alzheimer’s. For 10 weeks, these young adults personally fundraise money from friends, family, and local corporations. The season culminates in a powder-puff football game where Team Blonde challenges Team Brunette in an intense sporting competition. This year’s game will be at The Cotton Bowl in Fair Park on August 11, 2018.
More than 35 powder-puff games are played around the country. BvB Dallas is the largest in terms of number of participants and dollars raised to support research and awareness.
For young professionals interested in participating or individuals who want to learn about BvB Dallas’s efforts, visit www.bvbdallas.org.
